Research hires veteran surgeon to be trauma medical director

Research Medical Center has hired a new trauma medical director with experience as both a combat surgeon overseas and a leader of a hospital trauma unit in Texas.

Dr. Mark Lieser, who started last week, came to Research Medical Center from Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, Texas, where he was the trauma medical director of a 402-bed hospital that serves more than 100,000 patients annually. He also served in Iraq as a trauma surgeon in the U.S. Army Medical Corps.

Research Medical Center CEO Jackie DeSouza-Van Blaricum said Lieser’s 30-year mix of professional experience will elevate the facility’s trauma services.

“Dr. Lieser’s acclaimed career illustrates his innate commitment to providing the highest quality trauma care and we look forward to his signature dedication of life-saving work to benefit our community," DeSouza-Van Blaricum said. “He will be a tremendous asset to Research Medical Center as we continue to raise the standards of care within the organization, which impacts our mission to the care and improvement of human life, above all else.”

Research Medical Center, a 590-bed hospital owned by HCA Midwest and located at 2316 East Meyer Boulevard, is one of five facilities in the metro area designated a Level 1 Trauma Center. The others are Truman Medical Center, St. Luke’s Hospital, the University of Kansas Hospital and Children’s Mercy Hospital.

Lieser replaced Dr. Scott Bjerke, who served as the Research Medical Center trauma medical director since 2009.

This story was originally published June 2, 2017 at 11:42 AM with the headline "Research hires veteran surgeon to be trauma medical director."