Mercy Medical Center-Des Moines begins a new chapter with the arrival of Karl Keeler, who began work this week as president. Keeler, who most recently was president of St. Alphonsus Medical Center in Nampa, Idaho, was selected in November to replace Bob Ritz, who in July 2017 was named president and CEO of Mercy Health Network, the hospital and clinic network that oversees Mercy-Des Moines. “Wherever he has served, a constant for Karl is valuing a strong working relationship with medical providers, staff and the community,” Ritz said in a statement. “Initially, Karl will devote his energies to deepening his knowledge of Mercy, its physicians and staff — all of which will be important in his work to strengthen Mercy’s role in improving the health and well-being of the people and communities we are privileged to serve.”