Steve Edwards
Steve Edwards is president and CEO of CoxHealth. He has been with the organization since 1992, and was appointed president and CEO effective Jan. 1, 2012. Edwards reports to the CoxHealth board of directors, and is responsible for the overall operational and strategic direction of CoxHealth and its subsidiary corporations.
He began his career at CoxHealth working on the grounds crew and later as an orderly in the Emergency Department. After pursuing higher education and experience at other hospitals, he returned to CoxHealth as an assistant administrator at Cox Medical Center South. Edwards has also worked as a vice president of clinical services, senior vice president of Regional Services, senior vice president and administrator of CoxHealth hospitals and as executive vice president and chief operating officer. Prior to joining CoxHealth, Edwards was assistant to the chief operating officer at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, and evening administrator at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis.
Edwards holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Drury University, where he studied political science, philosophy and communication; and a Master of Health Administration degree from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. He also completed a post-graduate fellowship at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas.
Edwards is a diplomat of the American College of Healthcare Executives and has been presented with a Regent’s Award - Outstanding Young Executive, by the group. He has been recognized by the Springfield Business Journal as a “40 Under 40” honoree, and received the Donald J. Horsh Award from the Washington University School of Medicine, Master of Health Administration Program for “Demonstrating the greatest promise of achievement.”
In the community, Edwards serves as a board member for the Missouri Hospital Association, Volunteer Hospitals of America, MidAmerica Service Solutions, Springfield-Greene County Regional Health Commission, Forrest Institute and Drury University; and is a lifetime board member of the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks. In addition, he has been campaign chair for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and the American Heart Association Heart Walk. Edwards has served on more than 15 not-for-profit community boards during his career at CoxHealth including the United Way of the Ozarks and the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. He is also adjunct faculty for the Missouri State University Masters in Health Administration program and has been a quality examiner for the Excellence in Missouri Foundation.
Steve Edwards
Cox Medical Center Branson
P.O. Box 650
Branson, MO 65615