FORT SMITH, Ark. – Keith E. Reitzel, MD, now serves as chief medical officer of Baptist Health’s operations in western Arkansas, which includes hospitals in Fort Smith and Van Buren, as well as more than 40 clinics in the region.
As chief medical officer, Dr. Reitzel serves as a valuable resource to the system’s medical staff, ensuring adherence to the highest safety and quality standards. He will also have an active role in recruiting more health care providers to the River Valley.
“Dr. Reitzel has already been a wonderful addition to the Executive Team at Baptist Health in the western region,” said Kim Miller, FACHE, MBA, RN, region president for Baptist Health’s Western Region. “His confidence, patience and leadership abilities are indispensable as we work collaboratively to continue improving the health of this region’s residents.”
Dr. Reitzel has practiced as a high-risk obstetrical anesthesiologist since 1997 after completing a fellowship at Harvard School of Medicine in Boston.
Prior to joining Baptist Health, Dr. Reitzel also held several leadership roles, including chief medical officer of Ambulatory Surgery and service excellence officer at Banner Health facilities in Phoenix, Arizona. Banner Health is one of the largest nonprofit health care systems in the country, owning and operating 28 acute-care hospitals.
Dr. Reitzel earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee in Memphis and completed a fellowship in High Risk Obstetrical Anesthesia at Harvard School of Medicine in Boston.
He moved to Fort Smith with his wife Kimberly in early May.
Baptist Health is Arkansas’ most comprehensive health care organization with more than 200 points of access that include 11 hospitals; urgent care centers; a senior living community and over 100 primary and specialty care clinics in Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. The system additionally offers a college with studies in nursing and allied health; a graduate residency program; and access to virtual care anytime, anywhere. Baptist Health, as the largest not-for-profit health care organization based in Arkansas, provides care to patients wherever they are through the support of approximately 11,000 employees, groundbreaking treatments, renowned physicians and community outreach programs. For more information about Baptist Health, visit baptist-health.com, call Baptist Health HealthLine at 1-888-BAPTIST or download the myBaptistHealth app. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
