Mercy announced Monday morning that Mercy Hospital Kingfisher Administrator Bobby Stitt has been named the chief administrative officer of Mercy Hospital Ada.

The move will take effect Oct. 13. Dustin Yowell will succeed Stitt at Kingfisher. He will also oversee operations of the Mercy hospitals in Watonga and Guthrie, a role served by Stitt as well.

Stitt, a Dover native, has been the administrator at Kingfisher since 2020. He has been the administrator of the Watonga hospital since 2012 and Logan County since 2018.

He was recently named to the Becker’s Hospital Review’s rural hospital and health system presidents and CEOs to know for the second straight year.

“It’s been an honor to serve our community through the Mercy ministry,” Stitt told the KT&FP. “Doing that in my home community is even more special. Now my work will extend to the Ada commuity.”

Stitt said he’s confident in his successor’s abilities.

“He’s an exceptional leader who’s been with this team several years,” Stitt said of Yowell, who is currently the executive director of operations at Mercy’s hospitals in Kingfisher, Logan County and Watonga.

“I’m confident that what we have done together will continue well into the future,” Stitt continued. “Knowing that helps me move forward toward my new role in Ada.” Yowell shared Stitt’s excitement.

“It’s the honor of my career so far to be entrusted with leadership at these hospitals, which are each such an important pillar of their community,” said Yowell. “The talent and dedication Mercy caregivers bring to work every day is inspiring to me and all of our leaders. We’re proud to do such important work for our patients, who are our neighbors in these tightknit communities.”

Yowell previously served as the director of virtual medicine for Mercy in Oklahoma.

“Dustin’s organizational skills and proven leadership make him a natural fit to take on the administrator role in Kingfisher, Logan County and Watonga,” said Bennett Geister, president of Mercy Oklahoma City Communities. “He’s a mission-driven leader who embodies the spirit of service that makes Mercy a leader in compassionate caregiving.”

Yowell started his health care career in 1999, working in marketing, public relations and sales for the American Cancer Society and pharmaceutical companies.

He later moved into client relations at the Oklahoma Blood Institute before joining Mercy.

He has an associate of arts degree from Redlands Community College, plus a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Central Oklahoma.

Yowell grew up in Sayre. He and his wife, Carrie, have two children.

Lauren is a senior at the University of Oklahoma and Kyle is a senior at Cashion High School.