Matthew Banks replaces Mike Neuendorf as chief executive officer at Merit Health Wesley in Hattiesburg. Banks has most recently served as Chief Executive Officer at Davis Regional Medical Center, a 144-bed CHS affiliated hospital in Statesville, N.C.
Neuendorf announced his decision to accept a new position in Birmingham, Alabama, that offers career growth and the opportunity to move closer to family. Under Neuendorf’s leadership, the hospital saw a steady growth in the number of services available to residents in the Pine Belt, achieved numerous accreditations and certifications for the quality of care provided and improved satisfaction scores among patients, physicians and employees.
Neuendorf, who joined the hospital as CEO in 2010, worked through the end of August.
Banks now takes the helm following a history of work in the healthcare field.
"I'm thankful for the opportunity to play a role in Merit Health Wesley's long history of service to the Pine Belt," said Banks. "This team of professionals is not only known for their outstanding medical care, but also for their compassion, and I'm proud to be a part of that."
Prior to his work at Davis Regional Medical Center, Banks served as chief operating officer at Lake Norman Regional Medical Center in Mooresville, N.C., and as chief operating officer and chief nursing officer at Stringfellow Memorial Hospital in Anniston, Ala., producing growth and serving the community in both locations.
"Matthew has a proven track record of success," said Gardner Fletcher, M.D., Board of Trustees chairman. "We look forward to seeing his enthusiasm and experience continue to strengthen the quality care we provide our patients."
Banks is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he earned a bachelor of science in nursing and in psychology/chemistry, as well as a master of science in nursing. In 2013, he received the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing Young Alumni Merit Award.
A 2018 Presidential Leadership Scholar, Banks was selected as one of 59 scholars across the United States. Through this program, he studied leadership principles based on the experiences of Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson.
