Kara Rother, a local nurse and health care executive with 18 years of experience, is Mercy’s new top nurse in Oklahoma City.
Rother will lead 1,700 Mercy nurses in the Oklahoma City metro beginning July 21.
“It’s the honor of my career to be entrusted to work with a team of such dedicated and compassionate nurses,” said Rother. “I’m excited to work in a city I love serving patients who are my neighbors. Whether it’s in our hospital or our clinics, Mercy nurses serve so many families here in Oklahoma City. Providing them with the best possible care is what motivates us.”
About Rother
Rother, a registered nurse, most recently served as vice president and chief nursing officer of INTEGRIS Health Southwest Medical Center.
She was the top candidate for Mercy’s chief nursing officer position from a group of qualified applicants from across the country.
“It’s exciting to bring someone with Kara’s experience and leadership skills to such an important position on our team,” said Bennett Geister, president of Mercy Oklahoma City Communities. “Whether they’re at a Mercy clinic or hospital, patients know that nurses are true caregivers who have chosen a career of service to others. Kara knows what it means to be a nurse and to lead them, and her history of improving patient care with outstanding employee satisfaction will benefit everyone who walks through our doors.”
Rother is a native Oklahoman who earned an associate’s degree in nursing from Oklahoma State University, and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. She earned a master’s degree in health care administration from Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences.
Rother has been an American Nurses Credentialing Center board-certified nurse executive for nine years.
She started her career as a post-anesthesia care unit nurse, rising to a management position within four years of full-time nursing. She had clinical director roles in multiple disciplines and was a nursing director of patient care services and assistant chief nurse officer before assuming her recent role at INTEGRIS Health in 2023.
Born in Okarche into the Eischen family of the synonymous bar and fried chicken restaurant, she’s married with three sons. Through marriage she’s also related to Blessed Stanley Rother. The Rothers are often traveling for youth sports or relaxing at Lake Eufaula.
Kara Rother has been named the new chief nurse executive for Mercy Oklahoma City Communities.
