Our Leadership

Peter Rao, MHA, CMPE

Peter Rao is the Chief Executive Officer for Healthcare Leadership & Innovation Center. He brings more than 20 years of healthcare leadership and operational expertise with health systems and multi-specialty medical groups. He has led transformational efforts to enable positive patient outcomes and improve physician and staff engagement. These efforts include outpatient and inpatient strategies that increase capacity, improve access and care transitions for patients; work with physicians, non-physician providers and staff on meaningful approaches to care redesign.

He is knowledgeable on patient safety and quality measures, CMS hospital value-based purchasing program, CMS Quality Payment Program for medical groups and the alignment of the above with organizational strategic objectives. He has experience on the different types physician contracts and compensation mechanisms. He brings a well-rounded holistic outlook to a rapidly changing environment.

He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) and is board-certified as a medical practice executive; He is the recipient of the American College of Healthcare Executives Regent’s Award in 2008.

Scott Childers

Administrator, Mercy Hospital Lebanon

Scott Childers began his career in military medicine. He led field medical units for the first part of his career including leading a medical company with 1st Armored Division during Operation Desert Storm.

After getting his graduate degree in healthcare administration from Baylor University, he continued his military career in fixed Army Hospitals. After retiring from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel, he served as the COO of a large behavioral health company. After deciding that acute care was where he wanted to be, he left behavioral health and joined Baptist Memorial Healthcare corporation and served in Baptist hospitals in Oxford, MS., Jonesboro, AR., and was eventually promoted to the flagship hospital in Memphis, TN. In 2017 he moved to Lebanon, MO to serve as the Administrator for Mercy Hospital – Lebanon, where he continues to serve today. In addition to being a decorated Combat Veteran, Scott is a Distinguished Member of the Order of Military Medical Merit. He is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives and has been Board Certified as a Healthcare Executive since 1994.

David Taylor, FACHE, FACMPE

Corporate Vice President, System Administration

David Taylor is Corporate Vice President CoxHealth in Springfield, MO.  Responsibilities over the years have included leading the system’s medical group comprised of 80 some clinic locations with more than 320 providers.  David oversees the organization’s corporate departments to include; information technology, supply chain, facilities management, strategic planning and integration.  In addition,  is responsible for CoxHealth’s companies that provide homecare, DME, and IV therapy services.

Previously led multi-specialty physician groups with Aurora Healthcare and Henry Ford Health System.  Earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Indiana University and Master’s in Health Services Administration from The George Washington University.  Holds both Fellowships in the American College of Medical Practice Executives and the American College of Healthcare Executives.

David is a Past Chair of MGMA and Past President of MGMA Missouri.  He currently serves the boards and executive committees of Ronald McDonald Charities of the Ozarks, Ronald McDonald Tooth Truck, Ozark Technical College Foundation, and the Skaggs Foundation.

Michelle Curtis, Psy.

Psychologist

Michelle Curtis is a licensed Mental Health Therapist and Organizational Consultant. She received her educational training from the University of Missouri-Columbia and holds a graduate degree in Education and Counseling Psychology. Michelle has been a licensed Mental Health Therapist for 14 years.  She has a diverse background of experience to include, 18 years of work in the areas of University administration, clinical and career counseling, teaching in higher education, and Career Center management.

In addition to her clinical skills Michelle, has over 11 years of experience providing executive and organizational coaching, individual employee coaching, team building, leadership development, employee assistance, and workshops for organizations. Michelle has held a contract for the last 11 years as a subject matter expert consultant and Employee Assistance professional to 3M in Knoxville Iowa.

Dr. William Fish, MD

Medical Doctor

Dr. Fish is a Board-certified Family Practice physician with extensive leadership experience. He completed his medical education and residency at the University of Missouri, Kansas City, MO and is a Fellow in the American Academy of Family Practice Physicians. He was the co-founder and CEO for the Liberty Clinic that grew rapidly under his leadership. He presently works with Mosaic Life Care, St. Joseph, MO and Partners in Primary Care, Kansas City, MO with their outpatient clinics.

He has been in various medical staff leadership roles and committees with health systems. He has led teams involved with patient safety, quality, EHR implementations and served in the capacity as the Chief Information Officer. He has served as President and Chairman of the Missouri Academy of Family Physicians and BlueCross Blue Shield CareConnection Advisory Council. He is an expert consultant in medical liability cases.

He is an advocate of educational activities for staff and is a preceptor for Nurse Practitioner programs in Missouri.

Tracy Simmons

COO, Katy Trail Community Health

Tracy Simmons is the Chief Operations Officer for Katy Trail Community Health in Sedalia, MO. She has extensive operational experience with hospital-affiliated multi-specialty groups. She has provided leadership with achieving Patient-Centered Medical Home recognition through NCQA, led teams for successful EHR implementations and turned around struggling medical clinics. She has a holistic approach to the quadruple aim with improving patient outcomes, improving patient and family experience, increasing physician and staff engagement and reducing costs.

She has a nursing and business background that enables her to align clinical, operational and financial strategies. She currently serves as the President for the Central Missouri chapter of the Medical Group Management Association.

Mani Pulimood, MHA

Consultant

Mani B. Pulimood has a Master’s degree in Hospital Administration from Tulane University, and a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting and Business from University of Madras. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

He brings a unique perspective with the understanding that holistic leadership is based on utilizing our faith and belief systems to achieve healthy nurturing relationships. This is important for leadership accountability, transparency and overall wellness of leadership, physicians and the workforce. He has the experience to lead groups to apply leadership principles in the healing ministry and use practical interventions and tools that will transform the overall health of the organization. He is the author of Spiritual Dimensions: Musings on Life and Faith.