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). I joined the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) in 2006, and I have held a variety of leadership roles within the organization. I served as president of the Greater Heartland Chapter from 2022-2023 and I was recently elected as Regional Executive for Region 8, one of 11 Regional Executives across the country who will serve HFMA through 2027. HFMA equips its members with practical tools, solutions, education and guidance to address the many challenges within the US healthcare system.
During the last few years, my role as a healthcare finance professional has evolved as the pandemic forced our organization to pivot quickly and do more with less. These challenges required me to be a resource beyond counting beans – I can say that as a CPA – and to be a reliable resource for problem solving, planning and developing 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 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.