Jason Cobb has been named Senior Vice President of Strategic Operations at Willis-Knighton Health System. The announcement was made today by Jaf Fielder, president and CEO of Willis-Knighton. Cobb will assume his duties on Jan. 2, focusing on day to day operational performance and health system initiatives to support Willis-Knighton’s growth strategies.

“I am thrilled to welcome Jason back into the Willis-Knighton family,” Fielder says. “His extensive senior management experience with large and complex facilities, as well as his familiarity with Willis-Knighton Health System, makes him uniquely qualified to build upon our continued success.

Cobb comes to Willis-Knighton following 29 years of healthcare executive experience, most of it in Louisiana. He began his healthcare career at Willis-Knighton in 1996. Most recently he has served as president and CEO of Rapides Healthcare System in Alexandria. Under his tenure there the health system has become a leading healthcare provider in central Louisiana. He has gained a reputation as a seasoned executive who couples strategic and operational healthcare expertise with a passion for performance improvement and employee engagement.

In addition, Cobb has been actively involved in the Louisiana Hospital Association (LHA), serving as chair of that organization and its foundation. During his leadership with LHA he was instrumental in obtaining approval for healthcare payment reform for Louisiana hospitals.

“I am excited to come back home to where I started my career and only 70 miles from where I grew up,” Cobb says. “I am especially pleased to rejoin Willis-Knighton under the leadership of Jaf Fielder who I have known and respected for over 24 years. I look forward to working with him and the talented team at WK as we continue to provide the highest quality of care for the communities we serve.”

Cobb holds a Master of Health Administration degree from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and a Master of Business Administration from Texas A&M University. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas.

Cobb and his wife, Andrea, have five children and four grandchildren.