Jana Cook
Senior Vice President/Chief Financial Officer
I’m Jana Cook, a senior vice president and the chief financial officer (CFO) at Phelps Health. I consider myself a Phelps Health employee success story, having started in 2000 as a payroll specialist. Through the use of the organization’s tuition reimbursement program, I advanced in the accounting and financial departments, assuming my current role in 2016.
My education includes bachelor and master degrees in business administration through Columbia College and Webster University, respectively. I am also a licensed certified public accountant (CPA). In June 2022, I began my year term as the president of the Greater Heartland Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), an organization I joined in 2006. HFMA equips its members with practical tools and solutions, education, guidance and more, to address the many challenges that exist within the US healthcare system.
During the last few years, my role as a healthcare finance professional has evolved as the pandemic has forced our organization to pivot quickly and do more with less. These challenges required the need for me to be a resource beyond counting beans – I can say that as a CPA – and to be a resource that can be counted on to help problem solve, plan and develop those around me. I am currently focused on understanding the challenges my organization faces (outside of finance), and that has changed my outlook on how I can best support Phelps Health.
I am originally from south-central Illinois, and now live in Rolla, Missouri, with my husband, three children and one dog - a Snorkie. I spend most of my weekends and evenings chasing my kids around at their various sports events, including volleyball, soccer, baseball, football and basketball. This mama is partial to volleyball!
It comes as no surprise that I love numbers, Excel spreadsheets and balancing budgets. Disney World is the most magical place on earth, followed only by Disneyland.
The future is bright here at Phelps Health, and I trust that your experience will be a positive one.