Forrest Health Hires Jeff Cook as President & Chief Executive Officer
Forrest Health, a regional healthcare system committed to delivering accessible, high-quality care through its flagship hospital and network of community facilities, has appointed Jeff Cook as President and Chief Executive Officer. Forrest Health partnered with Buffkin / Baker on the executive search.
In his role as CEO, Jeff will be responsible for the overall operations of Forrest Health, providing strategic leadership and overseeing the efficient and effective planning, organizing, control, and direction of the hospitals and related operations. He will set and guide the organization’s short- and long-range objectives to meet financial, quality, patient experience, employee satisfaction, provider engagement, and other key performance goals. As CEO, Jeff will be tasked with successfully leading Forrest Health through the ever-changing and increasingly complex healthcare landscape.
Jeff has been with Forrest Health since 2014, first joining as Director of Legal and Contracts and later advancing to Vice President and General Counsel. Most recently, he served as the Interim President and CEO. “Jeff knows the ins and outs of our healthcare system, knows administration and staff, has been an integral part of strategic projects, and has long-standing success as legal counsel” said Jana Causey, Chairman of the Forrest Health Board of Trustees. Earlier in his career, he worked as Director of Legal and Contracts at Saint Thomas Health. He also practiced law and was a professional baseball player. Jeff holds a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering Technology and an MBA both from The University of Southern Mississippi, and a Doctor of Law in Business Law from Mississippi College.
Forrest Health is a system of healthcare organizations formed to increase access to quality health care in south Mississippi. Forrest General Hospital is its flagship hospital. In addition to Forrest General, Forrest Health hospitals include: Highland Community Hospital, Picayune; Jefferson Davis Community Hospital & Extended Care Facility, Prentiss; Marion General Hospital, Columbia; Pearl River County Hospital & Nursing Home, Poplarville; Perry County General Hospital, Richton; and Walthall General Hospital, Tylertown. Forrest Health is also home to The Orthopedic Institute and Institute of Neuroscience, both in Hattiesburg, as well as a variety of healthcare clinics throughout its 19-county coverage area.