Leadership
Since its founding in 1928, SoutheastHEALTH has grown from a community hospital to a regional system of care with multiple locations throughout southeast Missouri.
Our new governance structure creates flexibility, efficiency and streamlined decision-making. It allows us to capitalize on future growth opportunities in the ever-changing healthcare landscape as we continue building bridges to link SoutheastHEALTH to high-quality care, at an affordable cost, close to home.
Administration
Our highly experienced and well-respected team of healthcare professionals makes quality and patient care their top priorities every day.
Kenneth W. Bateman, CPA, MHA, President & Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Bateman joined SoutheastHEALTH in late 2014 as President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Bateman previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer (2004 to 2014) and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (2000 to 2004) of Somerset Medical Center in Somerville, New Jersey. Mr. Bateman also served as Director of Corporate Finance of JFK Health System in Edison, New Jersey (1996 to 2000) and Chief Financial Officer of Preferred Behavioral Health of New Jersey. He began his career as a Senior Auditor at Pannell Kerr Forster & Co. and Audit Manager at KPMG LLP. Mr. Bateman is a Certified Public Accountant and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a Master of Healthcare Administration from Seton Hall University.
Maria Sudak, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Dr. Sudak joined SoutheastHEALTH in 2018 as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Her broad spectrum of experience includes more than 40 years of healthcare experience, including 20 years in leadership roles. Prior to joining SoutheastHEALTH, Dr. Sudak served as vice president for the largest public healthcare district in the State of California. She holds a Doctorate of Health Administration from the Medical University of South Carolina. Her professional affiliations include the American College of Healthcare Executives, the American Association of Critical Care Nurses and the American Nurses Association.
Matthew Janzow, MD, Vice President & Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Janzow joined SoutheastHEALTH in 2019 as Vice President and Chief Medical Officer. Prior to his current role, Dr. Janzow was affiliated with a general surgery group practice in the State of Texas for 15 years. A Navy veteran, Dr. Janzow was attached to the Portsmouth Fleet Hospital in the State of Virginia. His service also included deployment during Operation Iraqi. Dr. Janzow completed his undergraduate work at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He received his MD degree from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Janzow is currently completing a Master of Business Administration degree at the University of Wisconsin.
Steven J. Haas, Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Haas joined SoutheastHEALTH in 2016 as Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining SoutheastHEALTH, Mr. Haas spent over ten years with the HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley in Kingston, New York, first as Vice President of Finance and later as Chief Financial Officer. From 1999 to 2004, Mr. Haas also served as Vice President of Finance at Southampton Hospital in Southampton, New York. He is a Fellow of the Healthcare Financial Management Association. Mr. Haas earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the New York Institute of Technology.
Mike Nichols, Vice President & Chief Information Officer
Mr. Nichols joined SoutheastHEALTH in 2015 as Chief Information Officer. Prior to joining SoutheastHEAL1H, he served as Chief Information Officer for a health system based in the State of Connecticut. He has held management roles at a variety of companies including AMC Theaters, GEM Publishing, and Sealright Manufacturing. Mr. Nichols earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems and a Master of Computer Information and Resource Management from Webster University.
Erin Pfeifer, Vice President of Human Resources
Ms. Pfeifer joined SoutheastHEALTH in 2011 as Director of Compensation and Benefits. She assumed her current role in 2016. Ms. Pfeifer previously managed human resources departments within a variety of manufacturing, consumer products, transportation, and retail businesses. Ms. Pfeifer earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from Southeast Missouri State University.
Kathy Vickery, MSN, RN, MBA, NEA-BC, Vice President of Ancillary Services and Regional Operations
Ms. Vickery joined SoutheastHEALTH in 2007 as Director of Patient Care Services within the Neurosciences service line. She assumed her current role in 2015. Prior to joining SoutheastHEALTH, Ms. Vickery served in acute care nursing leadership roles in two southeast Missouri hospitals. She is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Nurse Executive-Advanced. Ms. Vickery earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Nursing from Southeast Missouri State University and a Master of Business Administration from William Woods University.
Regina M. Faulkenberry, Vice President & General Counsel
Ms. Faulkenberry joined SoutheastHEALTH in 2012 as Associate General Counsel. In 2019, she was named Vice President and General Counsel. Prior to her current role, Ms. Faulkenberry was Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Audrain County, Missouri. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. Ms. Faulkenberry received her Juris Doctorate degree from Southern Illinois University School of Law in Carbondale. Her professional affiliations include the American Health Law Association and the Healthcare Compliance Association.
Shauna Hoffman, Vice President of Marketing & Business Development
Ms. Hoffman joined SoutheastHEALTH in 2014 as Director of Marketing and Business Development, bringing more than 30 years of results-driven marketing, business development and communications experience to her role. She was named Vice President of Marketing and Business Development in 2018. Ms. Hoffman's areas of specialties are many and include strategic planning and execution; market research, translation and execution; brand management; digital media; direct marketing; budget development and management; integrated marketing; product promotion management; CRM-market segmentation; event management; and corporate sponsorships. Ms. Hoffman also has successfully managed internal and external marketing and communications for healthcare acquisitions and mergers, product and service launches, facility openings, brand and organizational change. Her mentoring skills have led to development of teams positioned to deliver excellence in the healthcare industry. Ms. Hoffman holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Minnesota State University in Mankato, Minnesota. She has also served with the Army National Guard. Her professional affiliations include the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Society for Health Care Strategy and Marketing.
Sue Ann Williams, Chief Executive Officer of Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County
Ms. Williams joined SoutheastHEALTH in 2015 as Chief Executive Officer of Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County. She has more than 30 years of experience in the healthcare administrative setting. She is a past president of the Missouri Hospital Association, Southeast District Council. Her professional affiliations include serving as a member of the Regional Healthcare Foundation and the Stoddard County Health Care Coalition.
Peter Kinder, Vice President of Government Affairs
Peter Kinder, of Cape Girardeau, served as the 46th Lieutenant Governor of Missouri from 2005 to 2017. He is the first Lieutenant Governor to be elected to a third term since 1940. He is recognized throughout the state and nation for helping establish the Tour of Missouri, an international professional bicycle race, the third highest profile domestic race in the U.S.
Board Members
Board of Directors
Dr. Dufek is a Professor of Mass Media at Southeast Missouri State University as the coordinator of the TV and Film option. He serves on the national Board of Directors for the Media Communication Association – International and is a founding member of the Missouri Motion Media Association, which supports the Missouri Film Commission. Dr. Dufek has served on the SoutheastHEALTH Board since 2006.
Mrs. Umfleet is the Chief Financial Officer and owner of Chap Arnold Insurance in Cape Girardeau. She is a graduate of Oral Roberts University with a Bachelor of Science in Education and a minor in Business Administration, and additionally has completed a master's degree in Administration from Southeast Missouri State University. Mrs. Umfleet is active in the community and currently serves on the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and as Chair for the SoutheastHEALTH Foundation. She also devotes service to Graces of United Way and the Cape Girardeau Safe House for Women Advisory Board and is a volunteer for Read to Succeed.
Mr. Kruse was President of the Missouri Farm Bureau for 18 years and was appointed Director of Agriculture for Missouri by former Missouri Governor John Ashcroft. He is a 16-year veteran of the Missouri Army National Guard, attaining the rank of Brigadier General. He holds an MS degree from the University of Missouri – Columbia. Mr. Kruse maintains a farming operation in the Dexter, Missouri, area.
Mr. Crader is President of Crader Distributing, an exclusive distributor for Stihl products. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri – Columbia and is past Chair of the Southeast Missouri State University Foundation Board of Directors.
Mr. Ducharme is Vice President of TG Missouri, located in Perryville. His broad spectrum of experience includes more than four decades in various leadership roles in the automotive manufacturing sector. He has served on the SoutheastHEALTH Board since 2021. Mr. Ducharme is active in the community and has collaborated with local universities to build and strengthen the region’s workforce. He had a key role in the partnership between TG Missouri and Ranken Technical College and also helped sponsor a four-year Industrial and Systems Engineering program with the state of Missouri and Southeast Missouri State University.
A native of Cape Girardeau, Mr. Ford has served on the SoutheastHEALTH Board since 2008. His father, Walter Joe Ford, served on the Board for more than 20 years. Mr. Ford and his son Josh own Ford & Sons Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau. He is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana.
Mr. Green was born and raised in Sikeston, Missouri, and is currently Senior Vice President with First Missouri State Bank in Cape Girardeau. He has served on the SoutheastHEALTH Board since 2010. Mr. Green holds a degree in finance from the University of Missouri – Columbia.
Dr. Harrison has a deep understanding of the lives of the patients she treats — after all, she's a Missouri girl through and through. Raised in a small farming town just north of Cape Girardeau, she graduated from Jackson High School and studied at the University of Missouri and moved back home the month after finishing her training. A board certified physician in family medicine, specializing in both adult care and pediatrics, Dr. Harrison has been with SoutheastHEALTH since 2011. She is certified in cardiac life support and advanced pediatric life support. When she's not helping patients stay their healthy best, she keeps busy, with her husband, Mike, raising two energetic daughters. Her other interests including following Mizzou sports and helping coach her children's sporting teams. She's also a member of St. Paul Church.
Mr. Kinder is retired President, General Manager, of Red Letter Communications, Inc. A Cape Girardeau native, he is a Tulane University graduate with an MBA from the University of Virginia, Darden School. Mr. Kinder has been a Board member since 2009. Southeast's Pediatric Unit is named in honor of his late father, Dr. James A. Kinder, Jr.
Mr. Kohlfeld is a Cape Girardeau native and, along with his family, owns Kohlfeld Distributing Co. He has served on the SoutheastHEALTH Board since 1992 and is a former Board Chairman. Mr. Kohlfeld is a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University and has been actively involved with the university's Booster Club.
Mr. Lewis has been a SoutheastHEALTH Board member since 1992. He is a Circuit Court Judge for the 32nd Judicial Circuit, which includes Bollinger, Cape Girardeau and Perry counties. Mr. Lewis was in private practice from 1981 to 2004, with the exception of 1991–1994, when he served as Associate Circuit Judge in Cape Girardeau County. He received his BA from Southeast Missouri State University and JD from the University of Missouri – Kansas City.
Ms. Mackey-Ross is Managing Partner of the central region and leader of the physician/clinical integration practice at Witt/Kieffer Executive Search Firm in St. Louis. Prior to joining the firm, she had multiple roles in nursing administration and as an oncology clinical nurse specialist. Ms. Mackey-Ross holds an MBA from Washington University Olin Business School in St. Louis, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Saint Louis University, and an RN degree from Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing in Evansville, Indiana.
Mr. Neff is dealer and General Manager of Ford Groves in Cape Girardeau. A St. Louis native, he is a graduate of the University of Missouri – St. Louis. Mr. Neff has been a Board member since 2003.
Mr. Spradling is a Cape Girardeau native and has been an attorney in Cape since 1974 at the firm established by his late father. He graduated from Southeast Missouri State University and the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law. Mr. Spradling has served on the Board since 1996 and is a former member of the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents. He also served as Mayor of Cape Girardeau.
Regional Board of Directors
Mr. Avery is Complex Manager of Tyson Foods' Dexter facility. He is a graduate of Southern Arkansas University with a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness and holds a master's degree in General Agriculture from the University of Arkansas. Mr. Avery's community involvement includes serving as Sioux District Commissioner with the Boy Scouts of America.
Mr. Crosson is President and Chief Operating Officer for Americare Senior Living in Sikeston. He holds an MBA from Middle Tennessee State University and a business degree from the University of Tennessee. He has served as National Chairman for the American College of Health Care Administrators and currently serves on boards for LTC 100 and Senior Care 100.
Mr. Adams is associated with Southern Bank in Poplar Bluff as its Commercial and Mortgage Loan Officer. He holds a degree in Human Health and Performance from Lambuth University in Jackson, Tennessee. He has served on the SoutheastHEALTH Board since 2020.
Mrs. Aycock holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Southeast Missouri State University and is actively involved in the Bernie community and school as a substitute teacher and PTO president. Mrs. Aycock and her husband, Barry, own AyCorp Companies and AyCorp Media in Malden, MO in addition to owning Delta South Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Facility in Sikeston, MO and Bernie Farmers Gin in Malden and Mahan Gin in Parma. She has also served as a commissioner on Missouri’s State Commission on Retirement, Removal and Discipline of Judges since 2017.
Mr. Mathis, a native of Stoddard County, owns Rainey-Mathis Funeral Homes in Dexter and Bernie, Missouri. He has served as Stoddard County Coroner and is currently serving as Stoddard County Presiding Commissioner.
Marissa Mills is an Essex, MO native and currently resides in Dexter, MO. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Arkansas State University and a Master’s in Educational Administration from William Woods University. Mrs. Mills has also has received her teaching certificate for Middle School Science from Southeast Missouri State University and is a health coach graduate from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Her community involvement includes serving as CCPTO President of Dexter Public Schools and teaching Sunday School at First Baptist Church in Dexter.
Mr. Robison is a Puxico, Missouri, native and graduate of Southeast Missouri State University. He is a Vice President of W.W. Wood Products, Inc., a kitchen and bath cabinet manufacturer in Dudley, Missouri, with national distribution of Shiloh, Aspect and Eclipse product lines.