CoxHealth Executive and Leadership Team

Erica Sprague, the Chief Executive Officer at CoxHealth, directs the overarching strategic vision for the entire regional healthcare system. Sprague manages the integration of primary care, emergency medicine, and specialized surgical services to ensure consistent patient outcomes across southwest Missouri. By aligning clinical goals with long-term financial sustainability, the Chief Executive Officer optimizes resource allocation within the hospital network. Erica Sprague maintains close collaboration with the Board to refine service delivery models and expand access to critical medical care. This leadership role involves monitoring regional health trends to adapt service offerings in real-time. Through rigorous oversight of hospital operations and outpatient facilities, the Chief Executive Officer drives excellence in patient safety and quality standards. Ultimately, Sprague secures the operational foundation necessary for the organization to provide coordinated, accessible healthcare to diverse patient populations throughout the region.

Max Buetow, the President & Chief Executive Officer at CoxHealth, architects the high-level growth strategy and operational framework for the organization. Buetow oversees the expansion of heart and vascular care, cancer services, and pediatric programs to meet evolving community needs. As the President & Chief Executive Officer, Buetow fosters partnerships with regional stakeholders to strengthen the healthcare ecosystem. Max Buetow evaluates performance metrics across all facilities to ensure alignment with the mission of providing accessible, high-quality medical care. This executive role requires balancing complex administrative demands with the necessity of maintaining superior clinical standards. By driving innovation in wellness programs and pharmacy services, the President & Chief Executive Officer enhances the overall patient experience. Through strategic leadership, Buetow ensures the organization remains a cornerstone of health for the communities served, consistently delivering value and improving regional health metrics.

Amanda Hedgpeth, the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at CoxHealth, directs the internal operational scaling and efficiency of the hospital network. Hedgpeth manages the daily workflows within emergency medicine and surgical departments to ensure optimal patient throughput and resource utilization. As the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Hedgpeth oversees the integration of new outpatient clinics and urgent care centers into the existing service model. Amanda Hedgpeth collaborates with department heads to standardize clinical processes and improve the quality of care across all facilities. This leadership role involves managing large-scale operational budgets and ensuring that staffing levels meet patient demand. By focusing on process improvement and operational excellence, the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer drives the organization's ability to provide coordinated care. Through rigorous oversight, Hedgpeth maintains the high standards of service required to support the health of the southwest Missouri community.

Aaron Prenger, the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at CoxHealth, executes the strategic management of the organization's supply chain, facilities, and support services. Prenger oversees the logistics required to maintain laboratory services, pharmacies, and imaging centers across the regional network. As the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Prenger ensures that all physical infrastructure and medical equipment meet the highest safety and performance standards. Aaron Prenger coordinates with clinical leadership to streamline the procurement of medical supplies and optimize the utilization of hospital facilities. This leadership role involves managing complex operational projects that support the expansion of specialized medical care. By focusing on the efficiency of support services, the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer enables clinical staff to concentrate on patient treatment. Through meticulous operational planning, Prenger ensures the organization remains resilient and capable of delivering consistent, high-quality care to the region.

Timothy Jones, the Group President, Cox Medical at CoxHealth, directs the clinical performance and service delivery of the medical group's primary care and specialty practices. Jones manages the physician workforce and ensures that clinical teams adhere to evidence-based practices across all outpatient clinics. As the Group President, Cox Medical, Jones oversees the implementation of patient-centered care models that improve health outcomes and patient satisfaction. Timothy Jones collaborates with other C-suite leaders to align medical group operations with the broader strategic goals of the healthcare system. This leadership role involves monitoring clinical quality metrics and fostering a culture of continuous improvement among medical staff. By focusing on the integration of primary care with specialized services, the Group President, Cox Medical ensures a seamless patient experience. Through effective leadership of the medical group, Jones supports the organization's mission to provide accessible, high-quality healthcare to the communities of southwest Missouri.

Susan Butts, the Chief Information Officer at CoxHealth, directs the digital transformation and technological infrastructure supporting the entire healthcare system. Butts manages the implementation of secure electronic health records and advanced imaging systems to facilitate seamless data exchange between hospitals and outpatient clinics. As the Chief Information Officer, Butts protects sensitive patient information through robust cybersecurity protocols and rigorous compliance standards. Susan Butts coordinates with clinical leadership to deploy digital tools that improve diagnostic accuracy and operational efficiency. This leadership role involves overseeing the maintenance of complex laboratory information systems and telehealth platforms. By modernizing the technological backbone of the organization, the Chief Information Officer enables clinicians to provide more coordinated care. Through continuous investment in scalable IT solutions, Butts ensures the organization remains at the forefront of digital health, ultimately supporting better patient outcomes across the southwest Missouri region.

Patrick Murfee, the Vice President, Chief Information Officer at CoxHealth, executes the strategic deployment of enterprise-wide software and hardware solutions. Murfee oversees the optimization of internal communication networks and data analytics platforms that drive decision-making for hospital administrators. As the Vice President, Chief Information Officer, Murfee manages the integration of specialized medical devices into the broader clinical network to ensure real-time data availability. Patrick Murfee collaborates with department heads to identify technological gaps and implement innovative solutions that streamline patient intake and billing processes. This leadership role involves managing large-scale IT projects that support the expansion of urgent care centers and pharmacy services. By focusing on system reliability and user accessibility, the Vice President, Chief Information Officer ensures that staff can deliver efficient care. Through technical oversight, Murfee maintains the integrity of the digital environment, supporting the organization's commitment to accessible, high-quality healthcare.

Thomas Trent, the Associate Chief Marketing Officer at CoxHealth, directs the brand strategy and public outreach initiatives focused on the organization's primary care and wellness programs. Trent manages the development of educational campaigns that inform the community about available medical services, including behavioral health and rehabilitation. As the Associate Chief Marketing Officer, Trent analyzes market data to identify service gaps and tailor communication strategies for specific patient demographics. Thomas Trent coordinates with clinical teams to highlight the expertise of medical staff and the quality of specialized care facilities. This leadership role involves managing digital presence and community engagement efforts to build trust and increase patient volume. By crafting clear, accessible messaging, the Associate Chief Marketing Officer ensures that the public understands the full scope of services offered. Through strategic brand positioning, Trent drives awareness and supports the organization's mission of providing coordinated care to the region.

James Ganus, the Associate Chief Marketing Officer at CoxHealth, executes the strategic marketing initiatives centered on the organization's surgical, cancer, and heart and vascular care divisions. Ganus manages the promotion of specialized medical services to ensure patients have access to advanced treatment options within the regional network. As the Associate Chief Marketing Officer, Ganus develops targeted outreach programs that emphasize the clinical excellence and technological capabilities of the hospital system. James Ganus collaborates with medical directors to translate complex clinical achievements into compelling narratives for the public. This leadership role involves overseeing advertising budgets and evaluating the effectiveness of various media channels in reaching target patient populations. By focusing on the reputation of specialized care units, the Associate Chief Marketing Officer strengthens the organization's market position. Through consistent brand messaging, Ganus supports the growth of high-acuity service lines and enhances the overall visibility of the healthcare system.

Theresa Coyan, the Chief of Staff & Vice President, Governmental Relations at CoxHealth, directs the organization's interactions with regulatory bodies and public policy stakeholders. Coyan manages the advocacy efforts that shape healthcare legislation impacting the delivery of medical services in southwest Missouri. As the Chief of Staff & Vice President, Governmental Relations, Coyan ensures that the organization remains compliant with evolving state and federal regulations while promoting policies that benefit patient care. Theresa Coyan coordinates with executive leadership to align internal operations with external political and regulatory environments. This leadership role involves monitoring legislative developments and representing the organization's interests in regional and state forums. By fostering relationships with policymakers, the Chief of Staff & Vice President, Governmental Relations secures the necessary support for hospital expansion and community health initiatives. Through strategic advocacy, Coyan protects the organization's ability to provide accessible, high-quality care to the community.