MERIT HEALTH RANKIN - Key Persons
Cynthia Ellis, BSN, MSM, chief nursing officer, came from Merit Health Central where she served as assistant chief nursing officer. Ellis has worked in healthcare management for 29 years, 14 of those in a hospital based in sub-acute and acute units. She holds her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Chamberlain School of Nursing and Master of Science in management from Troy State University. She also holds a bachelor's degree in allied health sciences with a concentration in administration.
Heather Sistrunk, MHSA, BSN, R.N., is the chief executive officer of Merit Health Rankin. Prior to this role, Sistrunk served as the chief administrative officer of Merit Health River Oaks and Merit Health Rankin. With more than 23 years of health care experience, Heather has held several administrative roles in the Jackson metro area, including chief operating officer and service line coordinator. In addition, she served as the southern division director of quality and clinical implementation for Health Management Physician Network (HMPN). She began her career as a nurse in the coronary care unit at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center.
Sistrunk, who lives in Brandon, received a bachelor's degree in nursing from Mississippi University for Women and a master's degree in health services administration from Mississippi College. She is a member of the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), the American Nursing Association, and serves on the MS Stroke System Advisory Committee and MS Cardiovascular Advisory Committee for the Mississippi Healthcare Alliance.
Job Titles:
- Certified Public Accountant
- Chief Financial Officer
- CFO for Merit Health Central
Justin Stroud serves as the chief financial officer of Merit Health Rankin. In addition, Justin is also the CFO for Merit Health Central.
Justin is a licensed certified public accountant and holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting as well as a Master of Business Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi. He is an active member of Rotary International, the Healthcare Financial Management Association and the First Baptist Church Jackson Worship Choir.