High ranking Saint Francis Medical Center official leaves for Southeast Missouri Hospital

Wayne Smith, a former vice president at Saint Francis Medical Center, will join Southeast Missouri Hospital in a similar role Oct. 18.

Southeast Missouri Hospital President and CEO Debbie Linnes announced Tuesday that Smith has been appointed vice president for human resources and development.

Smith had been vice president of development and administrative services at Saint Francis since 2008.

He said this was the most difficult career decision he's ever made.

While Saint Francis has a long-standing management team in place, Smith said this position at Southeast gives him the opportunity to be part of a new team that is creating a new culture within the hospital.

"I enjoy building cultures, helping cultures grow and embrace change," Smith said. "It's exciting for me to participate with Debbie, the leadership team and the board at Southeast who really have a passion for making some changes within their culture to embrace the future changes coming in health care."

In his new position at Southeast, Smith will be responsible for human resources and the hospital's foundation. Mary Burton-Hitt, Southeast Missouri Hospital Foundation director, will remain in place managing the foundation's day-to-day operations, but Smith will assist the foundation with overall strategy, he said.

While working at Saint Francis, Smith said he rebuilt the hospital foundation, bringing in three new development officers and creating a new strategic plan for the organization.

Debbie Bowers, human resources director at Southeast, also will remain in place and report to Smith.

"You have to have the bricks and mortar, but people and culture are ultimately what defines organizations," Smith said. "The key is making sure you have effective strategies in place to support your employees."

Smith previously worked at Southeast Missouri State University as vice president for university advancement and as executive director of the university foundation.

He spent much of his career in the telecommunications industry as president of Consolidated Communications and TUX Communications and vice president of Verizon Communications. He has a bachelor of science degree in education from Southeast Missouri State University.

mmiller@semissourian.com

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