IU Health Ball Memorial Leadership

Art Vasquez

President, North Region

Art Vasquez joined IU Health in 2016 as chief operating and financial officer for IU Health West and has served in progressively increasing leadership roles in the decade since. Before joining IU Health, Vasquez served as the chief financial officer and vice president of finance for St. Catherine’s Hospital Inc. in East Chicago and, prior to that, as assistant vice president at Kaufman, Hall & Associates in Illinois.

Vasquez serves on the boards of Greater Lafayette Commerce, Indiana Latino Institute, Everwise Credit Union, Indiana Professional Management Group and United Way of Greater Lafayette, and on the advisory board for the National Association of Latino Healthcare Executives. He was recognized in May 2023 by La Plaza, Inc. with the La Plaza Outstanding Corporate Leader Award in recognition of his leadership in Central Indiana and the Latino community. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from DePaul University and an MBA degree from Purdue University – Hammond and is a certified public accountant.

Kreigh Cook

Chief Operating Officer and Hospital Administrator

Kreigh Cook was born and raised in Mt. Summit, Indiana. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Olivet Nazarene University and later completed both a Doctor of Jurisprudence and a Master of Health Administration at Indiana University.

After graduation, Cook returned to East Central Indiana and has held various leadership roles at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. He currently serves as Chief Operating Officer and Hospital Administrator.

Cook is passionate about living in, contributing to, and serving the communities of East Central Indiana. Outside of work, he enjoys attending sporting events with his family and coaching youth basketball.

Melissa Hicks, DNP, RN-BC, NE-BC

Chief Nursing Officer

Melissa Hicks began her career at IU Health Methodist Hospital before advancing into leadership roles at IU Health North, Saxony, and Tipton. She has served as Chief Nursing Officer at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital since 2021.

Hicks oversees more than 900 nurses, with a strong focus on advocacy and ensuring her teams have the tools and support needed to provide exceptional patient care. A Kokomo native, she earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice with a focus on nursing leadership from the University of Indianapolis and is a graduate of the Indiana University Kokomo nursing program.

Brian Reed

Vice President of Human Resources

Before joining IU Health in 2017, Brian Reed served in the Operations Management Development Division within Toyota, developing and maintaining lean and efficient practices. Reed earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University. In his free time, Reed enjoys time with his wife and children.