CoxHealth Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

CoxHealth has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, marketing, finance, government relations, technology, operations, and medical services.

Committed to regional health excellence, CoxHealth delivers comprehensive medical care across Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas through a vast network of hospitals, clinics, and emergency centers.

Leadership Roles at CoxHealth

  • Chief Executive Officer - Lisa Hallam
  • Vice President, Chief Financial Officer - David Strong
  • Chief Financial Officer, A - Jason Price
  • Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer - Amanda Hedgpeth
  • Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer - Aaron Prenger
  • Group President, Cox Medical - Timothy Jones
  • Associate Chief Marketing Officer - Thomas Trent
  • Associate Chief Marketing Officer - James Ganus
  • Chief of Staff & Vice President, Governmental Relations - Theresa Coyan
  • Vice President, Chief Information Officer - Patrick Murfee
  • Lisa Hallam - Chief Executive Officer

    Lisa Hallam, the Chief Executive Officer at CoxHealth, directs the overarching strategic vision for the entire healthcare network. Overseeing the integration of 6 hospitals and 80 clinics, the Chief Executive Officer ensures consistent quality standards across the 25-county service area. This leadership role involves constant collaboration with the Board to align clinical outcomes with long-term financial sustainability. By prioritizing patient-centered care, Lisa Hallam drives the expansion of emergency services throughout Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas. The Chief Executive Officer maintains focus on operational efficiency while navigating complex regulatory environments. Through rigorous oversight of the executive team, Hallam secures the stability of the organization. This commitment to excellence fosters growth within the competitive hospital landscape, ensuring that the institution remains a cornerstone of regional health. Hallam consistently evaluates market trends to adapt service delivery models for the evolving needs of the community.

    David Strong - Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

    David Strong, the Vice President, Chief Financial Officer at CoxHealth, manages the fiscal health and capital allocation for the entire hospital system. Overseeing budgetary planning, the Vice President, Chief Financial Officer ensures that resources support the expansion of clinical infrastructure across the 25-county region. This role involves rigorous financial modeling to sustain the operations of 6 hospitals and 5 emergency departments. By optimizing revenue cycles, David Strong secures the necessary funding for medical technology upgrades and facility maintenance. The Vice President, Chief Financial Officer collaborates with executive leadership to mitigate financial risks while pursuing growth opportunities in Northwest Arkansas. Through precise accounting practices, Strong maintains the economic viability of the organization. This leadership position requires constant monitoring of healthcare reimbursement trends to ensure long-term stability. Strong provides the financial foundation required for the institution to deliver high-quality care to the community while maintaining a robust balance sheet.

    Jason Price - Chief Financial Officer, A

    Jason Price, the Chief Financial Officer, A at CoxHealth, manages the financial reporting and audit compliance for the organization. Focusing on the financial health of specific service lines, the Chief Financial Officer, A ensures that individual departments operate within their allocated budgets. This role involves analyzing cost structures to identify areas for improved efficiency across the 6 hospitals. By providing detailed financial insights, Jason Price supports the executive team in making informed decisions regarding capital investments. The Chief Financial Officer, A collaborates with the broader finance department to ensure accurate tracking of revenue and expenses. Through meticulous oversight of financial records, Price maintains the integrity of the fiscal data used for strategic planning. This leadership position requires a focus on regulatory compliance and financial transparency. Price provides the necessary financial analysis to support the growth of specialized medical services, ensuring that the organization remains fiscally responsible while expanding its reach in the region.

    Amanda Hedgpeth - Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

    Amanda Hedgpeth, the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at CoxHealth, directs the daily operational performance of the hospital network. Focusing on internal scaling, the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer optimizes the workflow within the 6 hospitals to maximize patient throughput. This role involves streamlining administrative processes to ensure that clinical teams have the resources required for high-quality care. By managing the operational logistics of the 80-clinic network, Amanda Hedgpeth improves service delivery across Southwest Missouri. The Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer collaborates with department leaders to enhance efficiency in emergency departments. Through rigorous performance monitoring, Hedgpeth identifies opportunities for process improvement and cost reduction. This leadership position requires a deep understanding of hospital operations to maintain high standards of patient safety. Hedgpeth drives the execution of operational strategies that support the overall mission of providing accessible and effective medical services to the entire region.

    Aaron Prenger - Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

    Aaron Prenger, the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at CoxHealth, manages the supply chain and facility logistics for the entire organization. Focusing on the physical infrastructure, the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer ensures that all 5 emergency rooms and hospital facilities remain fully equipped and operational. This role involves coordinating the procurement of medical supplies to support the diverse needs of the 25-county service area. By optimizing inventory management, Aaron Prenger reduces waste and improves the reliability of clinical support services. The Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer collaborates with procurement teams to maintain cost-effective relationships with vendors. Through strategic oversight of facility maintenance, Prenger ensures that the physical environment meets the highest safety standards. This leadership function supports the clinical mission by providing a stable and well-resourced foundation for medical staff. Prenger consistently evaluates logistical performance to enhance the overall operational resilience of the hospital system.

    Timothy Jones - Group President, Cox Medical

    Timothy Jones, the Group President, Cox Medical at CoxHealth, directs the clinical strategy and medical service delivery across the entire network. Overseeing the performance of the 6 hospitals and 80 clinics, the Group President, Cox Medical ensures that patient care remains the primary focus of all medical operations. This role involves fostering collaboration between physicians and administrative leadership to improve clinical outcomes. By standardizing medical protocols, Timothy Jones enhances the quality of care provided in emergency and outpatient settings. The Group President, Cox Medical monitors the effectiveness of medical service lines to ensure alignment with the needs of the 25-county region. Through strategic leadership, Jones drives the recruitment and retention of top-tier medical talent. This position requires a deep commitment to patient safety and clinical excellence. Jones consistently evaluates the medical landscape to adapt service models, ensuring that the organization remains a leader in providing comprehensive healthcare to the community.

    Thomas Trent - Associate Chief Marketing Officer

    Thomas Trent, the Associate Chief Marketing Officer at CoxHealth, architects the digital engagement strategy to connect patients with specialized medical services. Focusing on brand positioning, the Associate Chief Marketing Officer manages outreach campaigns that highlight the 80-clinic network across the region. This role involves analyzing patient demographics to optimize communication channels for hospital service lines. By leveraging data-driven insights, Thomas Trent enhances public awareness regarding emergency room accessibility and primary care availability. The Associate Chief Marketing Officer collaborates with clinical leadership to translate complex medical offerings into accessible information for the community. Through targeted messaging, Trent strengthens the reputation of the organization within Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas. This strategic focus on brand identity supports the broader mission of increasing patient volume and community trust. Trent continuously refines marketing tactics to ensure alignment with the evolving healthcare needs of the diverse population served by the network.

    James Ganus - Associate Chief Marketing Officer

    James Ganus, the Associate Chief Marketing Officer at CoxHealth, directs the internal and external communications strategy to promote specialized service lines. Focusing on physician relations and referral networks, the Associate Chief Marketing Officer builds partnerships that drive patient volume to the hospital system. This role involves crafting narratives that emphasize the clinical expertise available within the 6-hospital network. By coordinating with department heads, James Ganus ensures that marketing efforts accurately reflect the high-acuity care provided in emergency settings. The Associate Chief Marketing Officer monitors competitive market dynamics to adjust outreach strategies for the Southwest Missouri region. Through strategic event planning and community engagement, Ganus elevates the visibility of the organization. This leadership function supports the growth of outpatient services by fostering strong connections with local healthcare providers. Ganus consistently evaluates the effectiveness of communication initiatives to ensure that the brand remains a trusted leader in regional medical care.

    Theresa Coyan - Chief of Staff & Vice President, Governmental Relations

    Theresa Coyan, the Chief of Staff & Vice President, Governmental Relations at CoxHealth, manages the intersection of healthcare policy and organizational operations. Overseeing legislative advocacy, the Chief of Staff & Vice President, Governmental Relations ensures that the interests of the hospital system remain represented at the state and federal levels. This role involves navigating complex regulatory frameworks that impact the 25-county service area. By engaging with policymakers, Theresa Coyan secures support for initiatives that improve access to emergency and primary care. The Chief of Staff & Vice President, Governmental Relations coordinates executive priorities to ensure seamless alignment with the strategic goals of the organization. Through proactive policy analysis, Coyan mitigates risks associated with changing healthcare legislation. This leadership position requires deep understanding of the regional medical landscape to influence positive outcomes for the community. Coyan facilitates high-level decision-making processes that allow the institution to thrive within the challenging regulatory environment of modern healthcare.

    Patrick Murfee - Vice President, Chief Information Officer

    Patrick Murfee, the Vice President, Chief Information Officer at CoxHealth, architects the digital infrastructure that supports clinical and administrative operations. Overseeing the implementation of electronic health records, the Vice President, Chief Information Officer ensures that data flows securely across the 6 hospitals and 80 clinics. This role involves managing cybersecurity protocols to protect sensitive patient information throughout the 25-county region. By integrating advanced diagnostic tools into the network, Patrick Murfee enhances the efficiency of medical service delivery. The Vice President, Chief Information Officer collaborates with clinical staff to optimize technology usage for improved patient outcomes. Through strategic investment in IT systems, Murfee supports the scalability of the organization. This leadership function requires constant innovation to keep pace with the rapid evolution of healthcare technology. Murfee ensures that the digital backbone of the institution remains resilient, enabling seamless coordination of care across all emergency and outpatient facilities.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding CoxHealth Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads CoxHealth?
    CoxHealth is led by Lisa Hallam (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as David Strong (Vice President, Chief Financial Officer) and Jason Price (Chief Financial Officer, A).
    Who is part of CoxHealth’s executive team?
    The executive team of CoxHealth includes leaders such as Lisa Hallam (Chief Executive Officer), David Strong (Vice President, Chief Financial Officer), Jason Price (Chief Financial Officer, A) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does CoxHealth have?
    CoxHealth has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in CoxHealth’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of CoxHealth includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer, A, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer.