Chris Knackstedt became interim CEO for Mercy Health Plans (MHP) in December 2009. Most recently, he served as senior vice president and CFO for St. John’s Health System in Springfield, MO. Prior to joining Mercy, Chris was a senior vice president of healthcare management at Great-West Life and Annuity, Healthcare Division in Denver, Co as well as president of the West region. He has also been CFO for St. Anthony Health System in Colorado and Sierra Providence Health Network in Texas.

Mike Treash joined Mercy Health Plans (MHP) as chief operating officer in February 2007. As COO, Mike’s focus is on the operations of MHP, executing MHP’s strategic initiatives and identifying innovative ways to provide outstanding services.

Mike came to MHP after serving as COO of Scott & White Health Plan. Mike has 19 years of consulting experience through health plan management and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Janet Pursley, RN, joined St. John’s Health System in 1981. As an executive vice president, she is responsible for overseeing the care management activities of Mercy Health Plans, Sisters of Mercy Health System’s Advanced Health Management Institute (AHMI) and ForeSee Health, and plays a key role in support of the Mercy care delivery model.

Janet brings extensive administrative experience in medical management and outcome measurement in an integrated healthcare setting. Janet had been executive director for AHMI since 2007 while also serving as vice president of medical management services for St. John’s Health System in Springfield, Missouri. She additionally served as an Interim Divisional Operating Officer for St. John’s Health System.

Stephen Spurgeon, MD, joined Mercy Health Plans (MHP) in March, 2009, as chief medical officer. Dr. Spurgeon brings ten years of medical director experience to MHP. He previously served as vice president and senior medical director of Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa and as regional medical director and chief medical officer for UnitedHealthcare of the Midwest. He has also served as president of Spurgeon Medical and Surgical Group, specializing in family practice and occupational medicine.

As chief medical officer, Dr. Spurgeon serves as administrator for the major clinical components of MHP’s Quality Management, Care Management and Pharmacy, including oversight of medical policies, medical service delivery and quality of care for health plan members. He will continue as physician leader of Mercy Health System’s Epic system, where he has served since 2006.

George Schneider joined Mercy Health Plans (MHP) as chief financial officer and treasurer in July 2006. George had prior history with MHP’s parent company, The Sisters of Mercy Health System, where he worked in a variety of roles on a consulting basis through Medimetrix Consulting. George’s broad experience in the managed care industry includes four years as chief operating officer of Group Health Plan and eight years with the Daughters of Charity Hospital System.

George is a certified public accountant and an advanced member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA). He holds a bachelor of science in accounting.

Charles Gilham was named vice president and general counsel for Mercy Health Plans (MHP) in December 2005. In this role, Charles serves as corporate compliance officer and privacy officer; ensuring that MHP complies with applicable federal and state laws, as well as the contractual terms of individual employer contracts.

Charles had previously held the position of executive director-counsel and corporate compliance officer of MHP’s parent company, The Sisters of Mercy Health System. Before joining The Sisters of Mercy, Charles was associate general counsel for the Catholic Health Association, associate general counsel with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Missouri, and compliance attorney for General American Life Insurance Company.

Charles received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri and has earned both a juris doctor and master’s of law in healthcare from St. Louis University.

Carl W. Schultz has over thirty years experience in the healthcare insurance industry. He joined Mercy Health Plans in March, 1997 as Manager of Sales & Service for the St. Louis Region. He became Executive Director in April, 2007 and Vice President of Sales & Service in June, 2009.

Prior to joining Mercy Health Plans, Mr. Schultz was Sales Manager for Select Group General American Life Insurance Company, Executive Director of Consolidated Group, and Group Sales Representative for Crown Life Insurance Company.

Mr. Schultz attended Webster University with an emphasis on Marketing and Communications.

Donna McDaniel joined Mercy Health Plans (MHP) in June of 1998 as director of human resources. Prior to joining MHP, Donna headed up the human resources department for Mark Andy, Inc., a manufacturing company in Chesterfield, Missouri. Previous positions include manager of compensation and benefits for Steptoe & Johnson, a law firm in Washington, D.C., and the eastern region human resources manager for GTE (formerly Contel).

Donna holds a master of human resources development from National Louis University. She is a certified compensation specialist with over 20 years experience in the human resources field.

Michael Doyle joined Mercy Health Plans (MHP) in April 2006 as vice president of mission and ethics. In his role, he facilitates the understanding and application of the mission and values into the decisions, activities and strategic planning of MHP.

Prior to joining MHP, Michael incorporated his ministry, business and communications experience as a producer of values-oriented television and video programs for Golden Dome Media at the University of Notre Dame. Projects with the Catholic Health Association and the Center for Health Care Ethics at St. Louis University underlined his special interest in healthcare ethics and access to healthcare.

Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in theology from St. Francis DeSales College and a master of divinity from St. Francis School of Pastoral Ministry.