SPHS Appoints Schuster Executive Vice President

SPRINGFIELD — The Sisters of Providence Health System has appointed John F. Schuster to the position of executive vice president.

Schuster will assume responsibility for the health system’s Acute/Ambulatory Network, Behavioral Health Network, and Senior Care Network, as well as the services of the Human Resources Department and Information Technology.

He comes to SPHS having served most recently as executive vice president and chief operating officer of St. John’s Mercy Medical Center and as president of Unity Support Services — both members of Unity Health System in St. Louis, Mo.

During his tenure with Unity, Schuster was responsible for all nursing, clinical, and support services; risk management; and human resources of the organization, which included a 950-bed tertiary facility offering 120 skilled nursing beds, a 98-bed behavioral health unit, a 35-bed Level III neonatal intensive care unit, and a Level I trauma and burn center. Schuster also developed the St. John’s hospitalist program and expanded its pediatric services.

Prior to joining St. John’s, Schuster served as director of a management service organization for the Cerner corporation in Kansas City, Mo. He also held positions as senior vice president and chief financial officer for organizations including Cancer Treatment Centers of America and All Saints Healthcare System, Inc.

Schuster is a certified public accountant and a fellow of the Healthcare Financial Management Association, serving on the Editorial Review Board of its journal. He earned his undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of Chicago and his MBA from the University of Illinois.