APRIL 22-28, 2024 SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS JOURNAL · 27 NEWS by Geoff Pickle · gpickle@sbj.net Cox College has named a new president who will take the reins amid a larger transition: the switch to the Alliance for Healthcare Education. Amy Townsend this summer is slated to become president of Cox College, according to a news release. She’ll succeed Amy Wutke, president since 2017 and a Cox College employee since 2014. Wutke said via email that she has accepted the role of president at the Christ College of Nursing and Health Science in Cincinnati, effective June 24. “Dr. Wutke’s influence on Cox College, CoxHealth and our community has been significant,” said Andy Hedgpeth, CoxHealth’s vice president of human resources, in the release. “Her leadership has shaped the lives of many students and helped drive the next generation of our workforce.” Cox College names new leader ahead of Alliance for Healthcare Education transition Wutke is credited with leading Cox College with a multimillion-dollar renovation, a revamped simulation center, a new campus in Monett and the addition of new degree programs. Townsend has worked at Cox College since 2011, most recently as vice president for student nursing and dean of institutional effectiveness since 2020, according to the release. “Dr. Townsend has a proven track record of leading educational programs and developing effective solutions,” Hedgpeth said in the release. “I am proud to welcome her to this role, and I know Cox College will continue to benefit from her expertise.” The leadership change comes as Cox College is set to merge its programming into the newly created Alliance for Healthcare Education, a partnership of CoxHealth, Missouri State University, Ozarks Technical Community College and Springfield Public Schools. After Cox College’s programs fold into the Alliance for Healthcare Education, Townsend would switch to a new role as director of student experience with CoxHealth, according to the release. • WE DO BUSINESS BETTER WE’RE READY WHEN YOU ARE When growing your business is all you can think about, you need a bank that can help you do it efficiently and effectively. And when you partner with Central Bank, we become an extension of your business, setting you up with loans and lines of credit, creating customized solutions and providing the comprehensive expertise you need to get where you want. Because that’s how we do business better. Are you ready for the next chapter in your business? Consult your business banking team today to discover how we do business better. Member FDIC centralbank.net Amy Townsend is succeeding Amy Wutke as president of Cox College. Mercy appoints chief medical officer by SBJ Staff · sbj@sbj.net Mercy Springfield Communities has named a new chief medical officer. Dr. Sadaf Sohrab, who has worked with the health system for 15 years, started in the role on April 12, according to a news release. “She’s a trusted leader in our physician community, and her experience working in the inpatient and outpatient setting gives her a unique understanding of the complex acute and ambulatory care needs our physicians have to meet on a daily basis,” said David Argueta, Mercy Southwest Missouri regional president, in the release. Sohrab succeeds Dr. Gregory Ledger, who was chief medical officer since early 2021. Ledger, who specializes in endocrinology, is returning to his practice full time at Mercy. As chief medical officer, Sohrab provides leadership and guidance to Mercy’s services lines and physicians, according to the release. “I’m deeply honored to step into this role to serve the community I love,” she said in the release. “I look forward to collaborating with providers, nurses and our hospital co-workers who inspire me daily. With health care evolving at a rapid pace, now is the moment to steer strategy toward impactful change.” Sohrab’s new role marks the third high-profile promotion this year among Mercy’s local ranks. Following Argueta’s promotion to the regional role, Chief Operating Officer John Myers was named president of Mercy Springfield Communities, according to past reporting. •
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