Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to identify with the challenges faced when a large-scale natural disaster produces extensive interruption to operations of a health system; delineate the multi-year process of rebuilding a health system and physician group to address the healthcare needs of today and tomorrow; and describe efforts to integrate many independent physicians who also were displaced by the disaster.

D. Sean Smith, DO is Physician President of Mercy Clinic-Joplin/Kansas, a Multi-Specialty Integrated Clinic of over 100 physicians and 25 mid-level providers based in Joplin, Missouri. Dr. Smith is an emergency physician, and still practices in addition to his administrative role. He has been with St. John’s Regional Medical Center/Mercy Clinic since 2001, and has held several administrative roles prior to his current position. Before entering medical school, Dr. Smith was an EMT-Paramedic for 12 years directing EMS systems, and has training in Incident Command System Operation, Hazardous Materials Management, and Management of the Search Function. This training became invaluable on May 22nd as he assisted with the initial Incident Command Function for St. John’s Regional Medical Center. Dr. Smith completed his medical training at Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and his residency at Tulsa Regional Medical Center-Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is board certified in Emergency Medicine.