The CoxHealth Board of Directors has announced that Max Buetow will be the health system’s next President and CEO beginning in June.
Buetow succeeds Steve Edwards, who has been chief executive since 2012 and is retiring at the end of May.
Buetow currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
In his current role, Buetow is responsible for leading and managing operations for the system’s six regional hospitals, defining goals and performance standards, and coordinating operations across system services lines and departments.
In a news release, CoxHealth says Buetow pioneered the development of Cox Health’s “super clinics,” facilities that offer patients access to multiple dimensions of care in one location.
The release says the depth of experience from these roles, as well as Buetow’s vision for building on CoxHealth’s success, were key factors in the Board’s decision.
Board of Directors Chair Rob Fulp says Buetow is the right person to continue CoxHealth’s high level focus on patient care. “He has demonstrated his passion for this organization, for our patients and for our 12,500 CoxHealth team members,” Fulp said. “We are excited for all he will bring to the table as we embark on CoxHealth’s next chapter. We wouldn’t be where we are today without Steve’s leadership and Max will continue to expand on the great work Steve has done.”
Edwards has expressed his confidence in Buetow’s abilities to lead the health system into the future. “I am grateful to our Board for their selection of Max,” Edwards said. “He is incredibly smart and kind, and he leads with great humility. He things about what may become in the next 20 or 30 years, not just what we may be next year. I deeply admire his virtues, and I am confident he will continue to advance our culture whereby we expect leaders to take care of staff, and staff to take care of each other and our community.”
Buetow originally joined CoxHealth in 2012. Prior to entering health care, he worked in manufacturing after completing his MBA at Drury University in 2009.
Buetow resides in Springfield with his wife, Laura, and their four children.