Christen Weaver Named Chief Operating Officer at Ozarks Healthcare

Ozarks Healthcare is pleased to announce the promotion of Christen Weaver to Chief Operating Officer (COO). Weaver previously served as Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), where she played a key role in advancing patient care, supporting coworkers, and strengthening clinical operations across the health system.

In her new role as COO, Weaver will oversee operational strategy and continue working closely with leadership teams to enhance quality care, improve patient experiences, and support the organization’s continued growth.

“Christen has demonstrated exceptional leadership, compassion, and dedication throughout her time at Ozarks Healthcare,” Terence Farrell, Ozarks Healthcare President and CEO, said. “Her experience and commitment to our mission make her the ideal person to help lead our organization forward.”

Personally, Weaver said stepping into the COO role is both humbling and meaningful.

“Ozarks Healthcare is more than an organization to me. It is a place filled with people who care deeply about doing the right thing for patients, families, and one another,” Weaver said. “To be trusted with helping lead that work at a broader level is something I do not take lightly.”

Professionally, Weaver said the role presents an opportunity to continue strengthening the organization while advancing operational excellence and collaboration across departments.

“My top priorities are centered around advancing our mission, strengthening operational excellence, and continuing to position Ozarks Healthcare as the leading healthcare organization in our region,” Weaver said. “I want us to be recognized not only for the quality of care we provide, but also for the experience we create for patients, families, providers, and staff.”

Weaver said her experience as Chief Nursing Officer helped prepare her for the new role by giving her a broad understanding of the patient experience and the importance of collaboration across the organization.

“Nursing touches nearly every part of the patient experience, so that role required me to think beyond one department and understand how decisions impact quality, safety, access, staffing, finance, patient flow, and team morale,” Weaver said. “It also taught me the importance of listening first, making decisions with both data and compassion, and staying focused on the people behind every process.”

Throughout her career at Ozarks Healthcare, Weaver has served in multiple leadership roles and said she is most proud of the relationships built and the teamwork demonstrated during both challenges and successes.

“More than any single accomplishment, I am proud to be part of an organization filled with people who genuinely care about one another and our community,” Weaver said.

Looking ahead, Weaver said she is excited about the future of rural healthcare and the opportunity to continue expanding services and improving access to care close to home.

“Rural healthcare is challenging, but it is also where innovation, resilience, and purpose matter most,” Weaver said. “I believe we have the right people and the right heart to continue improving access, expanding services, and making care better for patients close to home.”

Ozarks Healthcare congratulates Weaver on her new leadership role and looks forward to the continued impact she will make across the organization.

Ozarks Healthcare is a not-for-profit health system that serves more than 160,000 residents across south-central Missouri and northern Arkansas. With its main campus residing in West Plains, Missouri, the health system offers a full spectrum of healthcare for all ages through its 114-bed hospital, behavioral health, therapies, pharmacies, rehabilitation, and home care services, along with specialty and family medicine clinics. Ozarks Healthcare has rural locations across an eight-county service area and is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations.

Christen Weaver, Ozarks Healthcare Chief Operating Officer