Randall A. Bryant
Chief Executive Officer
As Chief Executive Officer, Bryant is responsible for Springfield Clinic’s performance, compliance and operations. He leads the administrative team and reports directly to the board of directors.
He joined Springfield Clinic, LLP in 1988 and served as the Clinic’s Chief Financial Officer before being appointed to his current position in July, 2008. As CFO, Bryant supervised the successful restructure of numerous financial systems and played an integral role in several Springfield Clinic building projects, including the recent expansion of the group’s Main Campus.
Prior to joining Springfield Clinic, Bryant served as Director of Corporate Finance for Memorial Health System in Springfield, Illinois and before that, worked in public accounting and healthcare finance.
Bryant is a native of Decatur, Illinois. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Illinois State University in 1979 and obtained his Certified Public Accounting license in 1981.
Read Bryant's message from the CEO.
James Hewitt
Chief Information Officer
Hewitt joined Springfield Clinic as the organization’s Chief Information Officer in 2007 and immediately began preparing for the implementation of a comprehensive Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.
Hewitt’s IT team successfully implemented the TouchWorks EHR application in phases at every medical office throughout Springfield Clinic’s network. Their “mini-bang” implementation strategy received national recognition and the completion of the project placed Springfield Clinic among the top 4% of multi-specialty clinics in the nation to have accomplished a comprehensive EHR implementation.
Born and raised in Hillsboro, Illinois, Hewitt migrated to the Chicago area, where he helped develop healthcare and financial systems for several companies. Prior to joining Springfield Clinic, he served as Chief Information Officer at Allscripts, the leading provider of Electronic Health Record systems in the United States.
His connections and influence in the software industry have fostered exciting new partnerships and possibilities for Springfield Clinic. Hewitt serves on multiple healthcare technology advisory panels and most recently co-founded Jardogs, a software development subsidiary of Springfield Clinic.
Mark J. Kuhn
Chief Administrative Officer
Kuhn joined the Administrative staff at Springfield Clinic as its Chief Managed Care Officer in 1998. In 2002, he was named Chief Administrative Officer, with additional responsibilities for Marketing, Occupational Medicine and ancillary divisions including Audiology, Laboratory, Physical Therapy and Radiology.
During his tenure with Springfield Clinic, Kuhn has played an integral role in the development of key strategic business initiatives and alliances. His achievements include the successful expansion of ancillary services, the formation of the Clinic’s Occupational Medicine division and the development of favorable relationships with managed care organizations, including a partnership with Health Alliance.
An Iowa native, Kuhn graduated from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Minor in Business Administration. Immediately following, he attended University of Iowa, in Iowa City, where he earned his Masters degree in Health Care Administration (MHA).
Prior to Springfield Clinic, Kuhn’s healthcare experience included 12 years with Lake Forest Hospital and its affiliated medical groups in Lake Forest, Illinois.
Alan Nerone, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
Nerone joined Springfield Clinic in June, 2008 as the organization’s Chief Financial Officer. As such, he is responsible for the development and implementation of all financial procedures, policies, internal controls, strategic financial planning, purchasing and facilities management.
Pawnee, Illinois native, Nerone offers more than eighteen years experience working with and for health care organizations in Central Illinois. Most recently, he served as the Chief Financial Officer for Pekin Hospital in Pekin, Illinois.
Nerone is a member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) and is a past Board Member and President of HFMA’s McMahon-Illini Chapter.
He is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from University of Illinois Springfield in Accountancy.
Carolyn Otten, CPA
Chief Human Resources Officer
Otten has been a member of the Springfield Clinic team since October 2002. Her current responsibilities include Education & Learning, Recruitment and Human Resources.
Her passion for and commitment to customer service excellence has led to the implementation of a comprehensive clinic-wide customer service initiative. Otten is committed to the organization’s overall service philosophy to provide an experience that improves, enhances, and extends the quality of life for Springfield Clinic patients. In addition, she has been intimately involved in the planning of renovation and expansion projects represented at Springfield Clinic 1st , Main Campus, Taylorville and Lincoln operating locations.
She was born and raised in Springfield, Illinois and attended University of Illinois Springfield where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accountancy. She is a licensed Certified Public Accountant, in the State of Illinois. Prior to joining Springfield Clinic she had a successful career in public accounting.
Mary Stewart, RN
Chief Clinical Officer
Stewart has been a member of the Springfield Clinic administrative team since 2001 as the Chief Clinical Officer. She is responsible for clinical services and oversees departments that include: Research, Quality Management, Clinical Support, TeleNurse, TeleCommunications, and the Ambulatory Surgery & Endoscopy Center. Her passion is the delivery of quality healthcare to each and every patient at Springfield Clinic.
She was born in Highland, Illinois, but has called Springfield her home since she was a child. She is a graduate of St. John’s College of Nursing and earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from St. Francis College in Joliet. She is a Registered Nurse licensed in the state of Illinois.
Stewart led the successful expansion of the Clinic’s Ambulatory Surgery and Endoscopy Center, overseeing the facility's growth from two to nine rooms and the addition of anesthesia services. Her achievements include the successful formation of the Springfield Clinic’s Research Department in 2003 and the creation of the Hospital Medicine division in early 2006.
Stewart offers many years of nursing experience, having previously served as a surgical nurse at Springfield Clinic and the manager of St. John’s Hospital’s Surgical Unit prior to returning to the Clinic in 2001.
J.Michael Zinzilieta, MD – Obstetrics & Gynecology
Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Zinzilieta joined Springfield Clinic’s Obstetrics & Gynecology Department in 1985 after completing his medical education and residency at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield. Since that time, he has earned an outstanding reputation for the delivery of quality patient care and clinical excellence. His commitment and leadership to Springfield Clinic have been demonstrated through participation on numerous committees, including the Quality Management and Peer Review Committee and the Ambulatory Surgery Committee. He has also served as Chairman of the OB/GYN Department.
As Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Zinzilieta will represent the medical interests of and guide the clinical direction for Springfield Clinic. He will oversee all aspects of clinical care, quality management and physician relations, including recruitment, advocacy, and performance. In addition, he will lead the Clinic’s two Medical Directors, Dr. Lynne Barkmeier, Vascular Surgery, and Dr. Robert Mulch, Family Medicine in Hillsboro.
Board certified in Obstetrics & Gynecology, Dr. Zinzilieta is a member of the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, American Medical Association, Illinois State Medical Society, Sangamon County Medical Society and Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.
Lynne D. Barkmeier, MD - Vascular Surgery
Medical Director
Dr. Lynne Barkmeier, a native of Columbus, Nebraska, earned her medical degree from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. At Creighton, she completed a General Surgery residency then relocated to Springfield, Illinois for a fellowship in Vascular Surgery at SIU School of Medicine. Upon completion, Dr. Barkmeier joined the staff of SIU, practicing there for nine years, before entering private practice for three. She joined Springfield Clinic in 2000.
She maintains certification in Vascular Surgery and is a Fellow in the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Barkmeier is a member of the Sangamon County Medical Society and Illinois State Medical Society.
Dr. Barkmeier was recently named medical director for Springfield Clinic and as such, provides input to the Quality Management and Peer Review Committee.
Robert F. Mulch, MD - Family Medicine
Medical Director
Robert F. Mulch, MD is a Family Medicine specialist at Hillsboro Medical Center, a division of Springfield Clinic, in Hillsboro, Illinois. He has practiced medicine in that community since 1980 and became affiliated with Springfield Clinic as the result of merger in 1989.
Born in Quincy, Illinois, Dr. Mulch attended Rush Medical College in Chicago, Illinois. He successfully completed his Family Practice residency at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He maintains current board certification from the American Board of Family Medicine and is a Fellow in the American Academy of Family Practice. He is a member of the American College of Physician Executives, Illinois State Medical Society and Montgomery County Medical Society.
In addition to his role as one of the organization’s medical directors, Dr. Mulch serves as an advisor to the Quality Management and Peer Review Committee and a member on the Information Technology Committee. He championed the selection and implementation of the Clinic’s highly successful Electronic Health Record System and continues to offer leadership in the technology arena as chairman of the Clinical Informatics Committee.