People: Mercy CFO Cheryl Matejka retires after more than 35 years in healthcare

Cheryl Matejka, MBA, CFO at St. Louis-based Mercy, is retiring on Dec. 31, 2025, after more than 35 years of providing financial leadership in the healthcare industry. For more than 17 years before joining Mercy, she held various finance roles at St. Louis-based BJC HealthCare, from internal audit to vice president, financial operations and analysis. Since starting at Mercy in 2006, Matejka has served as vice president, finance, at St. Johns Mercy; CFO for Mercy East Communities; and most recently, senior vice president, financial operations, for Mercy Health.

“As I retire from Mercy after 19 years, I have nothing but gratitude for the privilege of serving in the healthcare industry. I loved working with so many amazingly gifted and compassionate people who are truly tireless in their efforts to serve all with dignity and excellence,” Matejka said. “These years have been fulfilling, knowing that my work enabled serving people during a time of great need, including a global pandemic. There was no better place for me to dedicate my career than at the center of daunting healthcare issues we are working to solve, such as access, coverage and financing.”

“Cheryl has been an active member of the HFMA Large System CFO Council and has always been willing to participate in HFMA’s leading industry reports, including the Healthcare 2030 series, to share key finance expertise” said Rick Gundling, HFMA’s chief mission impact officer.

An HFMA member since November 1988, Matejka is currently a member of HFMA’s Greater Heartland Chapter. 

Scott Hawig takes on finance leadership role at BJC Health System

Scott Hawig, MBA, CPA, CMA, a current member of HFMA’s National Board, joined St. Louis-based BJC Health System as executive vice president and CFO on Sept. 15. 

With a background in accounting and audit management, Hawig previously served as vice president of finance at Shands at The University of Florida (now UF Health Shands) in Gainesville, Florida, and as divisional CFO and COO at Duke University Health System in Durham, North Carolina. His most recent role was chief financial and administrative officer and treasurer of Froedtert ThedaCare Health, an 18-hospital health system based in Milwaukee and Neenah, Wisconsin. Hawig has been a member of HFMA for 25 years and currently is a member of the Wisconsin Chapter.

Nick Barto steps into role of BJC Health System President and CEO

On Oct. 1, Nick Barto, MBA, began serving as president and CEO of St. Louis-based BJC Health System. He joined BJC in 2018 as CFO and was named president of the health system in 2023. In 2024, he also was named president of BJC’s East Region.

Previously, Barto served as senior vice president, corporate finance and investments, and CFO, enterprise business lines, at Catholic Health Initiatives in Denver. Other prior experience includes financial planning and analysis leadership at Novant Health in Charlotte, North Carolina, and healthcare advisory positions in areas ranging from corporate finance and M&A to biotech and pharmaceuticals. An HFMA member since January 2020, Barto is currently a member of HFMA’s Greater Heartland Chapter.

Liz Daunt-Samford appointed vice president and CFO at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital

Liz Daunt-Samford, MBA, MAcc, began her new role at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 1. As vice president and CFO, she brings nearly 35 years of experience in finance and accounting, capital planning, business development, revenue cycle and reimbursement.

Her previous roles at Emory Healthcare included finance accounting manager, corporate director of financial planning and reporting, vice president and CFO of Emory University Hospital, and most recently, vice president and CFO, University Hospital Division. She also served as financial controller at Atlanta-based Visiting Nurse Health System. Daunt-Samford is member of HFMA’s Virginia Chapter — having been a member of the Georgia Chapter prior to her new role — and has been an HFMA member for more than 18 years.