New! CEO and CFO Executive Placements

Cejka Search Completes Search for Two New Top Executives at Mee Memorial Hospital

Lois Dister, Executive Vice President and Managing Director with the Executive Search Division, is pleased to announce Mee Memorial Hospital of King City, California has selected Lex T. Smith as their Chief Executive Officer. In addition, Ms. Dister also has completed the search for Mee Memorial’s new Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Susan Childers has accepted this role.

Mr. Smith brings extensive experience as a healthcare administrator. Most recently, Mr. Smith was the Chief Executive Officer of Parkview Hospital in El Reno, Oklahoma. During his 25 year tenure, he succeeded in ensuring the hospital’s financial stability, effective recruitment and retention, and employee development programs. In 2007, he was honored as the "Rural Hospital Administrator of the Year" by the Rural Hospital Association in Oklahoma.

Ms. Childers’ most recently served as the Chief Financial Officer of The Alaskan Native Medical Center in Anchorage, Alaska. Ms. Childers has served in Chief Financial Officer and senior operations roles for 26 years at various hospitals in California and the Pacific Northwest. Throughout her career, Ms. Childers has been active in business development, community involvement, clinical program development, managed care negotiations, construction projects, turnarounds, revenue enhancement and performance improvement projects primarily in rural environments.

Lois Dister cites her engagement with the Mee Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees and Wellspring Partners as being a key component to the successful placement of their new top executives. Relying upon proactive involvement and effective communication throughout, she was able to build a strong foundation with the Board and the Wellspring interim management. “It was a real pleasure to work with the Board and the interim CEO and CFO from Wellspring. They understood the importance of sourcing candidates who not only had the right skill set, but who also would adapt to the organizational and community culture,” Lois explained. “Lex and Susan have had successful careers, and given their strong leadership skills, they will quickly make a positive, significant contribution at Mee Memorial Hospital.”

New! Executive Search Placement

Cejka Search Is Pleased to Announce Mark Laney, MD as Heartland Health’s New Top Executive

Deedra Hartung, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Executive Search Division, is pleased to announce that Heartland Health in St. Joseph, Missouri has selected Mark Laney, MD for the key leadership role of President and Chief Executive Officer. In his new position, Dr. Laney will provide the leadership essential to the continued development and success of the Heartland Health organization.

Bringing extensive experience to his new role, Dr. Laney formerly served as President of Cook Children’s Physician Network where he was responsible for forming one of the US’ largest pediatric multi-specialty practices and for developing more than 20 multi-specialty hospital-based programs. During his 15-year tenure, he created a positive partnership with Cook Children’s physicians by integrating them into strategic plans and decisions, authoring the Physician Compact, and creating multiple communication forums, all of which resulted in a 98 percent retention rate for employed physicians. He also was responsible for guiding Cook Children’s Medical Center to achieve recognition as one of the eight pediatric Leapfrog Hospitals (2007) in the nation, as well as for directing the network of Cook Children’s Neighborhood Clinics, which provide a medical home for low income families, timely access to acute and preventive care, health education advocacy and mental health services.

Deedra Hartung cites her engagement with the Heartland Health Search Committee and senior leadership as being fundamental to the successful placement of their new President and CEO. “Heartland Health is a dynamic and growing health system. It was a pleasure to work with the Board and dedicated Search Committee at Heartland Health,” Deedra explained. “Dr. Laney is an exemplary leader and I am confident he will make a significant positive impact at Heartland Health.”