Dubuis Health System’s corporate leadership consists of individuals with a broad range of healthcare experience. The leadership team is committed to providing excellence in high quality, comprehensive and cost effective health care for the long term. Working collaboratively, the senior leadership team is also dedicated to supporting the team of well trained administrators as well as the interdisciplinary professionals and physicians at each of the facilities.

Ellen Smith President and CEO Serving the Dubuis Health System since 1995, Ellen Smith has gained an in-depth knowledge of LTACs during her tenure as COO, Regional Administrator and Site Administrator for the System. Ms. Smith’s acute health care experience includes Nursing Management positions of Assistant Administrator, Director of Support Services, Project Coordinator and Director of Emergency Room for a large CHRISTUS hospital spanning 13 years. Prior clinical experience was gained in acute care hospital ICU, ER, Medicine and Pediatrics specialties. Ellen holds an MBA from McNeese University and was awarded a Magna Cum Laude B.S.N. from University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, American Organization of Nurse Executives, National Association of Long Term Hospitals Board Member, and she holds numerous clinical certifications.

Paul Veillon Vice President - Chief Financial Officer Paul has served the Dubuis Health System as CFO since 1996. His total professional experience surpasses 20 years in progressively responsible, key financial positions in four acute care and/or LTACH organizations. His responsibilities prior to Dubuis Health System include Hospital CFO, Assistant Administrator, and Director of Finance. Paul’s strengths encompass operational skills, managed care contracting, knowledge of reimbursement mechanisms, and strategic financial management. Paul has been a long-term member of healthcare financial management and CPA organizations. Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) Certifications include FHFMA (Fellow) and designation as a Managed Care Professional. He received a B.S. Degree in Accounting from Louisiana College.

Sam Barkman Vice President – Chief Operating Officer Barkman joined the Dubuis Administrative team in 2001after a 22-year tenure with a large acute care hospital. His roles at the previous facility included large-scale authority for Operations, Human Resources, Outpatient Services and Laboratory. He previously served as Administrator of Dubuis of Texarkana and as a Regional Administrator. Sam’s Masters in Business was gained at East Texas State University, as was his B.S. in Science. Barkman initially entered the medical field as a Registered Medical Technologist. He is a member of the American College of HealthCare Executives and the American Society of Clinical Pathologists.

John F. Brothers Vice President - Business Development Joining the Dubuis team in 1995, John contributed as a successful Site Administrator for three years prior to accepting responsibility for the System’s Business Development and Marketing Program. Earlier, John served for eleven years in a large CHRISTUS hospital in various capacities including Divisional Administrator, and Director of Social Work and Utilization Management. He also gained initial experience in the hospital setting as a Staff Social Worker. John’s educational background includes a Master of Science in Health Administration from University of Alabama at Birmingham; a Master of Social Work from Louisiana State University; and a B.S. from Louisiana College.

Brother Edward Smink, OH Vice President - Mission Integration and Compliance Brother Ed joined the Sr. Leadership team in late 2002 with 35 years of experience in healthcare. He is a Certified Chaplain with NACC, Ordained Catholic Priest, and a member of the Brothers of St. John of God from Los Angeles. He has an AD in Nursing from Newton Junior College, a BA in Psychology/Theology from Boston College and an MA in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. He has a wealth of other certifications and studies to his credit including Graduate Studies in Theology/Philosophy from the Pontifical Collegio Beta in Rome, Italy. He has served in administrative and managerial positions as VP of Mission, Regional and Site Director of Spiritual Care, Co-Chair and member of Hospital Ethics Committees, Ethics and Spiritual Care Consultant in Crisis Intervention, Program Development and End of Life Issues, and as Registered Nurse in long-term and chronic disease healthcare settings.

Pearl R. Mohnkern Vice President - Human Resources Mohnkern has held the position of Director of Human Resources for two health care systems and four acute care hospitals over the past 29 years. Joining Dubuis in 2000, Pearl is well versed in hospital administration and all areas of human resources. She has served twice as President of the Louisiana Hospital Association Human Resource Society, and holds a lifetime certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources from the H.R. Certification Institute. Pearl received her Master of Science in Health Services Administration from the University of St. Francis at Joliet, Illinois, and she gained her B.S. from Louisiana State University.

Tim Freeman Vice President – Clinical Services Tim joined the Dubuis team in 1998 after having been employed for a previous ten-year period with CHRISTUS Health. Tim has served Dubuis in positions of Administrator of Dubuis of Texarkana, Director of Nursing at Advance Care Hospital of Hot Springs, and as Clinical Coordinator at Dubuis of Shreveport. He also has experience as a unit manager and charge nurse. Freeman holds a B.S.N. from Northwestern in Shreveport an M.B.A. from Centenary College in Shreveport.

Stephen Mills Regional Administrator Mills, a member of the ACHE and the AHA, holds a Master’s Degree in Health and Hospital Administration from Xavier University in Cincinnati and a B.S. in Health Education from Southern Illinois University. For a three-year period Mills served as COO of St. Mary’s Hospital in Galveston prior to the closure of the Sisters of Charity facility. He also has experience as Director of Operations for a Mental Health System, Sr. Vice President of a Health System, CEO of a Rehab Hospital and CEO of an LTACH.

Tracey Richard Regional Administrator With Dubuis since 1998, Tracey moved into the Corpus Christi Administrator position after completing five years as Lake Charles Dubuis Administrator. Prior to her Dubuis tenure, Tracey served for three years at CHRISTUS St Patrick Hospital as Director of Neuro/Ortho/Rehab services. She was Assistant Administrator at the hospital for six years prior to that time. Tracey’s Master’s of Business Administration was earned at Rice University; her Bachelor of Arts was earned at the University of Pennsylvania.

Keith Rogers Regional Administrator Keith Rogers joined Dubuis Health System as Director of Risk Management/Safety in 1995 and has been crucial in developing a refined system of risk prevention throughout the organization. He still serves in that capacity while holding the position of Administrator in Hot Springs, as well as Regional Administrator for multiple sites. Experience gained prior to his Dubuis affiliation included physician recruitment and industrial safety. Keith’s MBA and his B.S. in Business Administration were both earned at Northeast Louisiana University. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the MBA Association.