SoutheastHEALTH has announced the appointment of Mariellena (Maria) Sudak, DHA, RN, MSN, NEA-BC, as Chief Operating Officer, effective today. She comes to Southeast with a wealth of experience as an accomplished visionary executive skilled in the creation of internal and external strategic alliances.

Sudak’s broad spectrum of experience includes more than 40 years of healthcare experience, including 20 years in leadership roles, most recently as Vice President with Palomar Health in San Diego CA, the largest public healthcare district in California, serving over 850 square miles with more than 500 licensed beds. At Palomar, Sudak facilitated working collaboratively with physicians, interdisciplinary partners and staff and developing strategies and goal setting for both long and short-range planning. 

“With the challenges we face in healthcare, navigating disruption, consolidation and ongoing cost pressure, Sudak’s role is vital in assisting me in refining operations and integrating our goals into measurable outcomes,” said Ken Bateman, President and CEO of SoutheastHEALTH.  “Sudak will be responsible for our organization’s operations and ensuring continued efficiencies in services that are designed to meet the needs of patients, physicians, public and staff.”

"SoutheastHEALTH’s strategy has never been more compelling,” said Maria Sudak. “I am incredibly energized to join the executive team and assist in leading the company to its next phase of innovation tied with operational excellence."

At Palomar, Sudak also served as Chief Nursing Officer, Director of Clinical Operations Improvement, Director of Clinical Transformation, along with other roles.  Sudak holds a Doctorate of Health Administration from Medical University of South Carolina. Her professional affiliations include the American College of Healthcare Executives, the American Association of Critical Care Nurses and the American Nurses Association. 

About SoutheastHEALTH

At SoutheastHEALTH, the region's premier healthcare system in southeast Missouri, our patients receive excellent care of the highest clinical quality, close to home. Within our network are more than 50 care locations in 12 communities, including hospitals, primary and specialty care clinics representing over 30 clinical specialties and extending care for patients in a four-state area. Learn more at SEhealth.org.