Centerstone promotes exec to chief information officer

Nashville-based Centerstone, which merged with Springfield-based Brightli Inc. in November, announced a promotion Feb. 11 within its leadership ranks.

Bryan Baucom, who started with Brightli in March 2025 as its chief information officer, was promoted Feb. 5 to the same position with Centerstone, said Rance Burger, director of media and public relations for the company. Through the merger, Centerstone became the nation’s largest behavioral health services nonprofit on the basis of revenue, estimated at $1.1 billion each year. The combined Centerstone serves roughly 250,000 patients annually at 360 outpatient, inpatient and residential locations in nine states, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting.

In the chief information officer position with Centerstone, Baucom will provide strategic leadership and oversight across the organization’s technology functions, supporting teams responsible for the help desk, information technology infrastructure, business applications, data analytics, electronic health records, cybersecurity and other areas within IT’s domain, according to a news release.

Baucom will focus on aligning technology strategy with organizational priorities, strengthening system reliability and security and enabling teams with the tools and data needed to support high-quality care and operational excellence, according to the release. His work also involves support for ongoing IT integration efforts following Centerstone and Brightli’s merger. 

“I’m honored to step into the role of chief information officer and grateful for the trust placed in me,” Baucom said in the release. “In health care, and especially in behavioral health, technology plays a critical role in supporting clinicians, protecting sensitive information and ensuring continuity of care. I look forward to partnering with our IT teams and colleagues across the organization to strengthen our systems, advance secure and reliable access to data and support the delivery of high-quality, compassionate care to the individuals and communities we serve.” 

Burger said Baucom in his new role will continue to work in Springfield at the organization’s administrative campus at 2885 W. Battlefield Road.

Prior to his start with Brightli, Baucom served in leadership roles, including at Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Integris Health in Oklahoma. He has a master’s degree in business administration with specialization in health care administration from Oklahoma City University and two bachelor’s degrees with specializations in management information systems and marketing from the University of Central Oklahoma.