Philip Koovakada, M.S.N., M.S.H.C.A., is president and CEO of St. Luke’s Baptist Hospital. Koovakada most recently served as CEO of Nacogdoches Medical Center (NMC) Health Network in Nacogdoches, Texas, where he oversaw the strategic, operational and clinical activities of the organization, which includes a 161-bed acute care hospital, and 10 outpatient centers spanning both Nacogdoches and Shelby counties in East Texas. At NMC Koovakada was instrumental in developing new and enhanced service lines including bariatrics, advanced radiation oncology, minimally invasive surgery and robotics. Koovakada’s tenure at NMC began in 2016, where he served as chief operating office with responsibilities for the daily operations and oversight of NMC’s ancillary departments. Before his role at NMC, Koovakada served on the leadership team over the cardiovascular service line at Desert Regional Medical Center, a 385-bed, level II trauma center in Palm Springs, California. Koovakada is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He holds a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration, a Master of Science in Nursing from California State University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of St. Francis in Illinois.