(St. Louis--) Des Peres Hospital today announced the appointment of its new chief financial officer (CFO), David Byrd. He assumed his duties June 2 and reports to Michele Meyer, chief executive officer.

In this position, Byrd is responsible for ensuring the financial viability of the hospital by managing and monitoring the financial affairs of the hospital according to the business unit goals, sound business practices, corporate and hospital policies, and according to various government regulatory requirements. Byrd will be working with vendors to negotiate major contracts that will help control costs. He also oversees the admitting, insurance, patient service, materials management, accounting, information systems and health information management functions of the hospital.

“We are pleased that Dave has returned to St. Louis to work with us again” said Meyer. “He has the strong organizational, interpersonal and leadership skills that make him a great addition to our senior executive team.”

Byrd brings more than 15 years of experience in accounting and management to his new position. He returns to Des Peres Hospital, where he had served as controller for several years, from his most recent position as an assistant CFO for Sierra Medical Center, in El Paso, Texas.

Byrd, a native of St. Louis, holds a bachelor of science degree in business administration/accounting from the University of Missouri at St. Louis.