CoxHealth lands chamber's Anderson

Jim Anderson, the outgoing president of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, is headed to CoxHealth for the next step in his career.

The health system announced this morning Anderson was hired as vice president for marketing, corporate communications, public affairs and advocacy, effective July 7.

In February, Anderson informed the chamber board he would retire from his leadership position after 26 years.

While his summer retirement was well-publicized, the 64-year-old Anderson has been mum on his next move.

“I am thrilled that Jim said yes to our offer to work at CoxHealth,” health system President and CEO Steve Edwards said in a news release. “Jim’s direct impact on job creation in the region, and his philosophy that economic development is community development, mirrors the spirit of giving and community focus at CoxHealth.”

Edwards cited Anderson’s role in influencing legislative issues on behalf of the Springfield business community. Since taking the Springfield chamber position from the Jefferson City chamber in 1988, Anderson’s public service includes roles as chairman for the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission, chairman of the United Way of the Ozarks, president of the Urban Districts Alliance and chairman of the Community Relations Board for the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners.

“With increasing government involvement in health care decisions, we will need Jim’s advocacy for statewide initiatives such as transforming and expanding Medicaid,” Edwards said in the release. “Presently, Missouri is leaving $2 billion a year on the table, money from hospital payment cuts and tax increases that is leaving our state and benefiting other states. This is hurting Missouri jobs, as health care layoffs are being announced all over the state.”

With Anderson’s appointment, the release said CoxHealth’s marketing, corporate communications and public affairs personnel will move under a single vice president.