St. Mark’s Welcomes Hillery Caraway, Jenifer Leyendecker, and Edward Tusa
St. Mark’s Medical Center (SMMC) announces new team member additions Hillery Caraway, Director of Human Resources; Jenifer Leyendecker, Director of Surgical and Ambulatory Care Services; and Edward Tusa, Chief Financial Officer.
“We are pleased to expand our team with professionals of such strong caliber,” said Mark Kimball, President and CEO of SMMC. “Hillery, Jenifer, and Ed each have deep experience and tenacity for integrity, imperative to SMMC as the healthcare industry continues to evolve and requires top-notch talent to succeed.”
Hillery Caraway leads SMMC’s efforts in ensuring the organization is appropriately staffed with exceptional talent who deliver compassionate and thorough care, as well as foster an environment for employee growth and success.
“I am thrilled to be in La Grange and at St. Mark’s,” said Carraway. “The team has been extremely welcoming to me, and I look forward to ensuring that as an organization, we continue to reflect the strong values and generous, caring nature of the community, while providing exceptional patient care.” Caraway added that it is important to also take care of SMMC employees and reward them for their valuable contributions.
Previously from Katy, Hillery has over eight years of Human Resources experience in the healthcare industry. She holds a BS in Psychology and an MBA with a Human Resources focus, both from the University of Houston Victoria.
In Jenifer Leyendecker’s new role, she oversees day-to-day delivery of patient care at SMMC, ensuring overall operations, nursing staff direction, and quality of care compliance standards are met.
“I’m so happy to be a part of this team,” said Leyendecker. “Everyone is completely dedicated to providing skilled, compassionate care.”
Prior to joining SMMC, Leyendecker’s 20-year healthcare career includes significant experience in operating rooms and managing nursing teams in transplant and trauma facilities. Most recently, Leyendecker. served at University Hospital in San Antonio. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree as well as several professional certifications.
Leyendecker and her husband have three adult children, and recently relocated from San Antonio to their newly purchased property on the Colorado River.
Ed Tusa, new Chief Financial Officer at SMMC, is responsible for managing all of SMMC’s finance-related matters, including executing the hospital’s financial strategy, developing plans for growth, identifying opportunities; and managing all accounting procedures.
“I am excited to join St. Mark’s team and the community,” said Tusa. “SMMC is a beautiful facility and I can already tell the pride that each of the team has in the compassionate care that they provide here. I look forward to ensuring that SMMC continues to meet the needs of the community.”
Tusa has spent most of his extensive healthcare career in Minnesota, and comes to SMMC with experience in children’s and acute care rural and metropolitan hospitals, clinics, and healthcarerelated organizations. He holds an MS in Health Services Administration from College of St. Francis, in Joliet, Illinois, and a BA in Accounting/Business Administration, from College of St. Thomas, in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Tusa is married and has three adult children.
St. Mark’s Medical Center, one of the top 100 Rural and Community Hospitals in the United States as ranked by the Chartis Center for Rural Health, is a 65-bed, 100,000 sq. ft., community hospital serving residents of Fayette and Lee Counties and surrounding communities.
At St. Mark’s Medical Center, patients benefit from the latest medical technology along with comprehensive healthcare from highly skilled physicians, nurses and professional staff. Services include cardiac rehabilitation, wound care, orthopedic care, inpatient and outpatient care, a 24-hour emergency department, outpatient/elective surgeries and procedures, as well as laboratory and imaging services.