Des Peres Hospital Welcomes Two New Executives To Leadership Team

Des Peres Hospital announced two new members of the hospital’s leadership team.  Rhonda Rogers was appointed chief financial officer (CFO) and began her duties on June 17.   Benson Chacko joined the team on June 24 as chief operating officer (COO).  Both report to John Grah, chief executive officer.

“Rhonda and Benson bring strong organizational and leadership skills to their new roles with this hospital,” said Grah.  “We look forward to their contributions in their respective areas of areas of expertise to help us continue to deliver the quality, personal care our physicians, our patients and their families expect.

As CFO, Rogers is responsible for ensuring the financial viability of the hospital by managing and monitoring its financial affairs according to its business goals, sound business practices, corporate and hospital policies, and government regulatory requirements. 

Rogers brings more than 25 years of experience in healthcare accounting, including nearly 13 years in her most recent position as chief financial officer at Nacogdoches Medical Center in Nacogdoches, Texas. Her past positions include controller at St. Francis Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, and chief financial officer at Kirksville Osteopathic Medical Center in Kirksville, MO.

A native Missourian, Rogers graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of science degree from Truman State University in Kirksville. She is a certified public accountant.

As COO, Chacko oversees the operational effectiveness of the hospital’s ancillary departments, including pharmacy, laboratory, radiology, and therapy services as well as the hospital’s facilities services and food service. 

Chacko brings more than 12 years of experience in healthcare to his new position, including six in human resources and six in project management and business development.  He comes to Des Peres Hospital from Sierra Providence East Medical Center in El Paso, Texas, where he was associate administrator.

While in El Paso, he served on the Texas Hospital Association’s Leadership Development Council and as a board member for the Boys & Girls Clubs of El Paso.

Chacko received his bachelors of healthcare administration from Southwest Texas State University and his masters in healthcare administration and masters in business administration from Texas Woman’s University.  He completed an administrative fellowship with Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford.

Des Peres Hospital is a 143-bed acute care community hospital located at 2345 Dougherty Ferry Road, at the intersection of I-270 and Dougherty Ferry Road.  It has been serving the medical and health care needs of St. Louis County since 1974.  Des Peres Hospital provides quality medical and surgical services and programs, including senior care, heart care, bariatrics (surgical weight loss management), orthopedics, wound care and emergency care.   Des Peres Hospital is a fully accredited Chest Pain Center, as recognized by the Society of Chest Pain Centers.  Des Peres Hospital is also an ASMBS Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence. To learn more, visit www.despereshospital.com.