New health care alliance appoints executive director

The Alliance for Healthcare Education, formed last year by CoxHealth, Missouri State University, Ozarks Technical Community College and Springfield Public Schools, has appointed its first executive director.

Shallina Goodnight has been named to the leadership role effective immediately, according to a news release issued this morning. She brings experience to the role as administrative director for CoxHealth at Home.

"We have high expectations for The Alliance and its potential for providing our students opportunities to gain knowledge and skills that will prepare them for careers in the health care field," SPS Superintendent Grenita Lathan said in the release. "Having a highly qualified executive director like Ms. Goodnight will ensure that the vision of the founding partners becomes a reality.”

Goodnight's appointment as executive director was approved in a unanimous vote Thursday by the Alliance of Healthcare Education board that comprises board President Lathan, Max Buetow of CoxHealth, Hal Higdon of OTC, Clif Smart of MSU and Rob Fulp of Great Southern Bank and the CoxHealth Board of Directors.

In the near term, Goodnight will work with the Alliance for Healthcare Education board to determine priority needs and next steps. The partnership announced in August calls for Cox College to transition into an educational hub for its four partners, according to past reporting.

“I have a genuine passion for the transformative work that the Alliance is committed to,” Goodnight said in the release. "The success of the Alliance is indispensable for the future of our region, as it has the potential to revolutionize the health care workforce. A strong workforce will, in turn, enhance the health of our community and fortify our region’s economic prowess.”

At CoxHealth at Home, Goodnight led the organization's name-change transition as Oxford HealthCare integrated into CoxHealth. She has more than 20 years' experience in health care.

Editor's note: Shallina Goodnight is married to Marty Goodnight, publisher of Springfield Business Journal.