Two Dent County residents with healthcare backgrounds were sworn in Sunday as members of the Salem Memorial Hospital board of directors during a special called meeting in the hospital library.
The board last week appointed Dr. Leigh Ann Price in District 6 and Zach Moser in District 4 to fill the vacancies left by the resignations earlier in the month by A.J. Seay (District 6) and Willie Strader (District 4).
Moser and Price were asked to email statements to The Salem News following their appointments.
“I want to see SMH succeed because it is the largest and most important provider of healthcare services in Dent County,” wrote Moser, who serves as administrator of the Dent County Health Center and is a former pharmacist at SMH. “Without it, the people of Dent and surrounding counties would have to go even further for services. This ultimately means that many people would not receive healthcare.”
Price, a Salem native and retired doctor who moved back to Salem one and a half years ago, said during the interview process she was aware of the obstacles – mostly financial – that SMH has experienced the past few years.
“I realize this hospital has had its ups and downs over the past several years, but looking forward and weathering the proverbial storm, I believe we can continue to strengthen the quality of services provided and dedicated to patient care,” she wrote in her response to The Salem News.
Also interviewed for the two positions were Chris Holliday in District 6 and David Kerr in District 4.
Price was appointed by a 3-0 vote, with Mike Swyers, Wanda Tatom and Judy Thompson voting for the appointment.
In the first round of voting, Thompson and Tatom voted for Moser, while Swyers and board chairman Ray Bruno chose Kerr. After discussion, another vote was taken and Bruno changed his vote to Moser.
During last week’s interview of board candidates during open session, Thompson questioned Moser about his exit from SMH, which did not go well, and his current position as administrator at the health center, which she said could be perceived by some as a conflict of interest.
“Public health is related to the field of healthcare but has several key differences,” Moser wrote. “One of my goals as a board member is to bridge the gap between public health and healthcare. We are a small community, and we all must work together to provide for the common good and the improvement of the health of Dent County residents.
“My hope is that my experience as an employee of SMH and as the administrator at the health center will give me the background knowledge to inform decisions before the SMH board. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve.”
Moser, a 2014 graduate of the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis, has practiced in both the retail and hospital settings, including a term of nearly five years as director of pharmacy at Salem Memorial Hospital. He has been a board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist since 2020 and obtained his Master of Business Administration from Webster University in 2021.
“My appointment to the board will give me the opportunity to serve my community that has helped make me who I am today,” he said. “It has always been my desire to facilitate positive change in Dent County, which is one reason I chose to become a pharmacist. My profession has allowed me to come back to Salem and provide healthcare in many capacities directly to my community.”
Price, daughter of the late J. Max Price, returned to Salem after her medical career to spend time with her mom, Joyce. Price was a part of other hospitals and university systems in Missouri, Kansas, Massachusetts and Maryland. She is a 2001 University of Missouri medical school graduate.
“I am honored to have been appointed to the hospital board and look forward to the opportunity of serving and working with the hospital administration, the staff and the community,” she said. “The Salem Memorial Hospital is a unique asset to this area, not only for those residing within the district it serves, but for the many tourists visiting this region and enjoying a part of our history.
“Having worked in the healthcare field for over three decades. . . . I am encouraged and believe in this entity and the community it supports.”
