NMMC Welcomes New Chief Physician Executive/Chief Clinical Officer

TUPELO, Miss. (PRESS RELEASE) — North Mississippi Health Services is pleased to announce Tom Purcell, M.D., M.B.A., is returning to his hometown of Tupelo to serve in the newly developed role of Chief Physician Executive and Chief Clinical Officer for the health system.

In addition to serving as the senior physician and clinical leader on the executive team, he will work with clinical service lines including oncology, where he will have an active medical oncology practice.

In order to serve its mission of continuously improving the health of the people of our region, NMHS recognizes the region’s growing need for more health care services and providers; and also views these needs as opportunities to extend its exceptional care to more people, closer to where they live and work.

To do so, NMHS seeks to ensure that the necessary quantity and types of provider teams are available to deliver the needed services at the right locations throughout our region.

Dr. Purcell, as Chief Physician Executive and Chief Clinical Officer, will co-lead with senior administrators the expansion and growth of clinical services through the recruitment and affiliation of physicians and advance practice clinicians.

He will also direct the operations of NMMC specialty and hospital-based clinics and oversee physician leadership, medical education and research.

He will continue the development of a “system of care” for clinical service lines throughout the region, including oncology, where he will also serve as medical director.

“Dr. Purcell is an accomplished physician, researcher, educator and health care executive.  We are excited to have a native Mississippian of his caliber return home to join our mission of improving the health of our region,” says Shane Spees, president and CEO of NMHS.

In addition to serving as executive medical director for University of Colorado Cancer Center, he also currently serves as system director of oncology services for University of Colorado Health.

Both of these roles extend his leadership and practice across the multi-facility system based out of Denver.

Dr. Purcell is also currently on the board of directors of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

Prior to the University of Colorado Health, Dr. Purcell was director of the Billings Clinic Cancer Center and division chief for cardiovascular, neuroscience, musculoskeletal, women and children, oncology and other service lines.

His formal medical training and practice began with medical school at Emory University School of Medicine.

He completed his residency and chief residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and his fellowship in medical oncology at Johns Hopkins University.  After completing his fellowship, he was on the medical oncology faculty at Johns Hopkins and was assistant director of finance and practice strategy for the cancer center.

Dr. Purcell also holds a master’s in business administration with a concentration in finance from the University of Chicago, a degree he attained while serving as a business consultant in information technology for Accenture.

Dr. Purcell earned his undergraduate degree in chemistry and physics from Millsaps College.

Dr. Purcell and wife, Pam, have two daughters – a rising senior in high school and a rising junior in college.

Both Tom and Pam enjoy the outdoors and sports.

He loves all sports, but especially football and is also a strength and conditioning enthusiast.

Dr. Purcell will join the NMHS team on July 18.