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ApolloMD Introduces New Chief Medical Officer Role to Advance the Future of Emergency Care

ApolloMD is taking a bold step toward the future of emergency medicine by partnering with MercyOne to create a Chief Medical Officer role. The new position is designed to unify Emergency Department leadership, establish consistent best practices, and ensure that patients experience seamless, high-quality emergency care. 

ApolloMD has named Sydney Leach, MD, to serve as the first Chief Medical Officer for MercyOne Emergency Medicine. Dr. Leach has been a practicing emergency physician at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center since 2009, and will continue in her role as Medical Director of the MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center Emergency Department while assuming this expanded statewide leadership position for ApolloMD. 

“Health care is evolving rapidly, and patients deserve the same exceptional standard of care no matter which hospital door they walk through,” said Ted Patras, MD, Regional Vice President at ApolloMD. “By unifying leadership across all MercyOne Emergency Departments, we are positioning ourselves to meet tomorrow’s challenges with greater consistency, innovation, and collaboration. Dr. Leach is exactly the leader we need to drive this future-focused vision.”

A portrait of an individual.

Ted Patras, MD

Regional Vice President

Dr. Leach’s leadership journey at MercyOne began more than 15 years ago. She was named Assistant Medical Director for the Des Moines Emergency Department in 2019 and advanced to Medical Director in 2022. Her proven track record of guiding teams through operational challenges, while keeping patient outcomes at the center, has made her a trusted leader both clinically and organizationally.

“It has been my privilege to serve patients and clinicians in Des Moines, and I am honored to step into a role that will strengthen care across our entire system,” said Dr. Leach. “This is an exciting opportunity to build stronger connections among our emergency departments, share best practices, and ensure that MercyOne continues to deliver the kind of care our communities will rely on well into the future.”

MercyOne leaders underscored the importance of this milestone in advancing their mission. “Dr. Leach’s appointment reflects our shared commitment with ApolloMD to innovate for the future while keeping patients at the center of every decision,” said Hijinio Carreon, DO, Chief Medical Executive, MercyOne. “This new role will help us create a more unified and seamless experience in the MercyOne Emergency Departments served by ApolloMD across Iowa.”