Leadership
Travis Sisson - Chief Executive Officer
Travis Sisson joined Merit Health Wesley as CEO in March 2024. He previously held the position of Chief Operating Officer at the hospital from 2008 - 2013.
Sisson has more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. He has demonstrated an ability to guide health systems through new changes and initiatives, forge strong relationships with physicians, and engage with both employees and the community.
Sisson came from Merit Health Biloxi, where he has served as CEO since 2022. Prior to his role at Merit Health Biloxi, Travis was COO at Longview Regional Medical Center, where he was instrumental in recruitment and the launch of several new service lines.
He earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and an MBA from the University of Alabama in Birmingham.
Rick Kolaczek - Chief Operating Officer
Rick Kolaczek serves as the chief operating officer, overseeing hospital operations and clinical departments.
Kolaczek came to Merit Health Wesley from Grandview Medical Center in Birmingham, AL, where he served as the assistant chief executive officer for four years. Prior to that role, he served as Grandview’s cardiovascular service line administrator. Kolaczek began his career in patient care as a radiologic technologist.
Kolaczek attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he earned both his Bachelor of Science in allied health administration and his Master of Science in health administration.
Brenda Carroll - Chief Nursing Officer
Brenda Carroll serves as chief nursing officer. Carroll came to Merit Health Wesley from Ascension Via Christi St Teresa Hospital in Wichita, KS, where she served as vice president of nursing since 2016. Under her leadership, Ascension Via Christi was a leader in both patient satisfaction and quality. With more than 20 years in nursing and 13 years in nursing leadership, Carroll has a proven record of reliability, responsibility and compassion toward patients and co-workers.
Carroll earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Bethel College and her master’s degree from Grand Canyon University.
Vice Presidents
Ron Cain
VP Physician Support
Debbie Johnson
VP Quality & Clinical Transformation
Traci Rouse
VP Marketing
Officers
Susan Bellows
Director of Quality Management
Facility Compliance Officer
Debbie Johnson
VP of Quality and Clinical Transformation
Patient Safety Officer
Rodney Gresham
Director of Plant Operations
Facility Safety Officer
Tammy Smith
Director of Information Technology
Facility Information Security Officer
Angela Parker
Facility Privacy Officer