Mercy Health Foundation Southeast appoints two new board members

KBSI FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — The Mercy Health Foundation Southeast has named two new members to its board of directors.

Amanda Baert and Samantha Rhodes will join the board, bringing business, philanthropic and leadership experience to the foundation, which oversees the financial health of Mercy Health Foundation Southeast and advances its mission of providing compassionate, high-quality health care across the region.

Baert, a wealth management banking specialist with Merrill Lynch since 2022, has more than 15 years of experience in the financial services industry. She previously held leadership and client-focused positions at U.S. Bank.

“I’m honored to be selected for the Mercy Health Foundation Southeast Board, and I’m committed to supporting its continued service and growth across Southeast Missouri,” Baert said.

Baert has been involved with the foundation since 2017 as a member of the Mercy Health Foundation Southeast Ambassadors, most recently serving as president. She and her husband, Tyler, live in Chaffee with their two daughters.

Rhodes, a sales associate with Primo Vino and Cask, is active in local philanthropy and business ventures with her husband, Scott. The daughter of longtime Cape Girardeau physician Mike Brown, Rhodes said she looks forward to supporting the foundation’s work.

“I’m excited to share the knowledge and understanding my father instilled in me to help the Mercy Foundation support and improve the hospital’s ability to serve Southeast Missouri patients,” she said.

Rhodes lives in Cape Girardeau with her husband and two daughters.

Baert and Rhodes will serve terms through June 2031.