Bears of Excellence: Amanda & Andrew Hedgepeth '05 '07 '12

Описание: Amanda and Andy Hedgpeth are proud Missouri State alumni, high school sweethearts, and partners in leadership – both at home and at CoxHealth, where they each play key roles in shaping the future of healthcare in southwest Missouri.

Amanda is chief operating officer for CoxHealth, a six-hospital integrated health system. She leads hospital operations and oversees strategic planning, IT, marketing, and consumer experience across the entire organization.

She began her career at CoxHealth in 2005 as a budget analyst and steadily rose through the ranks. With a bachelor’s degree in accounting and an MBA from Missouri State, Amanda has been recognized as one of Springfield Business Journal’s Most Influential Women and a Biz 417 Women Who Mean Business.

Amanda also gives back. She has served on boards for Springfield Innovation, Inc. And Isabel’s House, a crisis nursery for children.

Andy Hedgpeth is the chief human resource officer at CoxHealth. He leads HR for the region’s largest employer, supporting more than 14,000 employees and overseeing functions from talent development and benefits to pastoral care and Cox College.

Andy’s career has been centered on cultivating a culture where employees thrive. He helped lead the creation of the Alliance for Healthcare Education, a groundbreaking partnership that will become the Midwest’s largest allied training program. He is also active in multiple nonprofit and professional organizations.

Both Amanda and Andy are deeply invested in workforce development and community impact. And both are passionate about their alma mater.

They live in Ozark with their three children, continuing to lead with purpose and make a difference in the region they’ve always called home.

We are proud to congratulate Amanda and Andrew Hedgpeth, recipients of the 2025 Missouri State University Alumni Association Bear of Excellence Award.