OakBend Medical Center Executive and Leadership Team

Joseph Freudenberger, the Chief Executive Officer at OakBend Medical Center, directs the strategic vision for the last remaining independent, nonprofit hospital system in the Greater Houston area. By championing a patient-centered care model, the Chief Executive Officer empowers patients to act as captains of the care team, fundamentally shifting traditional nursing hierarchies. Joseph Freudenberger oversees the integration of specialized facilities, including the No Wait ER and the Jack and Billie Wendt Acute Care for the Elderly unit, ensuring operational excellence across all three hospital campuses. This leadership role involves constant collaboration with the Board to maintain financial sustainability while expanding service capabilities. Through rigorous oversight of clinical outcomes and administrative efficiency, the Chief Executive Officer secures the long-term viability of the institution. By prioritizing community health needs, Freudenberger drives the mission of providing exceptional, accessible medical services for future generations.

Susan Carruth, the Chief Financial Officer at OakBend Medical Center, manages the fiscal health and capital allocation strategies for the organization. Overseeing the budgetary requirements of three hospitals and multiple specialty centers, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that financial resources align with the nonprofit mission of providing high-quality, independent care. Susan Carruth monitors revenue cycles and cost-containment initiatives to support the expansion of advanced trauma services and specialized elderly care units. This role requires close coordination with executive leadership to balance operational investments with long-term financial stability. By analyzing market trends within the Greater Houston healthcare landscape, Carruth optimizes resource distribution to maintain the hospital's competitive edge. Through disciplined financial planning, the Chief Financial Officer sustains the infrastructure necessary for the innovative patient-centered care model, ultimately safeguarding the institution's ability to serve the community effectively.

Edjola Xhaferi, the Vice President Chief Financial Officer at OakBend Medical Center, directs the financial reporting and accounting operations for the hospital system. Focusing on the granular details of revenue management and expense control, the Vice President Chief Financial Officer ensures that the financial data supports the strategic initiatives of the nonprofit organization. Edjola Xhaferi oversees the financial performance of specialty centers, ensuring that each unit maintains the necessary funding to provide exceptional patient care. This role involves rigorous auditing and financial forecasting to support the expansion of services like the No Wait ER. By providing actionable financial insights to the executive team, Xhaferi enables data-driven decision-making regarding capital investments and operational scaling. Through meticulous management of the hospital's fiscal assets, the Vice President Chief Financial Officer reinforces the stability of the institution, allowing the medical team to focus entirely on the patient-centered care model.

Ashley Bellew, the Chief of Staff at OakBend Medical Center, coordinates cross-departmental operations to ensure seamless execution of the hospital's patient-centered care philosophy. By facilitating communication between clinical teams and administrative leadership, the Chief of Staff streamlines the delivery of services across the three hospital campuses and specialty centers. Ashley Bellew manages high-level projects, including the implementation of trauma center protocols and the operational success of the Acute Care for the Elderly unit. This leadership role involves aligning daily hospital functions with the strategic goals set by the executive team. Through the optimization of internal workflows, Bellew enhances the efficiency of the patient-as-captain model. By resolving complex operational challenges, the Chief of Staff supports the overall mission of maintaining independent, nonprofit healthcare excellence within the Greater Houston area, ensuring that all departments function in harmony to provide superior patient outcomes.