Our History Leadership Timeline Our Leadership Meet the CEOs and their administrative colleagues who have helped guide CoxHealth to success. Leadership Milestones View All 1940s Late 1940s Eighteen leaders of Protestant denominations are appointed to the hospital’s board of directors. Springfield business man Lester E. Cox leads a series of capital campaigns to raise community money and federal matching funds for hospital expansion. 1960s 1968Lester E. Cox passes away and the board of directors renames the hospital Lester E. Cox Medical Center, in honor of the man so integral to the hospital’s survival and growth. Hospital expansion continues under the guidance of his son, Lester L. “Bud” Cox, and longtime administrator, Neil Wortley. 1980s 1985After 20 years of service, Charles Edwards becomes executive administrator. 1990s 1993Lester E. Cox Medical Centers becomes CoxHealth Systems.Charles Edwards retires as executive administrator and Larry Wallis is named CEO. Dec. 17, 1993Lester L. “Bud” Cox passes away and his son Lester B. “Barry” Cox is named chairman of the CoxHealth Systems board. 2000s July 2004Larry Wallis retires as president and CEO. August 2004 Robert Bezanson becomes president and CEO of CoxHealth. 2010s April 2011 Genice “Genny” Maroc is named vice president and administrator of Cox Monett Hospital. August 2011 President and CEO Robert H. Bezanson announces his retirement, effective Dec. 31, 2011. September 2011 Steve Edwards is named president and CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2012. September 2013 Dr. Lance Ratcliff is named president of Cox College, following the retirement of Dr. Anne Brett. June 2015Dr. Darren Bass is named president of Cox Monett Hospital. January 2018William Mahoney is promoted to system senior vice president leading the Community Hospital Group while maintaining his role as president of Cox Medical Center Branson. Darren Bass is promoted to system vice president in the Community Hospital Group, and continues to serve as president of Cox Monett Hospital. Wendy Duvall is named president of Cox Barton County Hospital. 2020s May 2022Max Buetow is named president and CEO, effective May 30, 2022.June 2022Andrea McKay is named president of Cox Monett Hospital.