Executive Leadership

John “Jack” Horner has been employed by Major Health Partners (MHP) since 1985 serving as the President and CEO since 2008. Under his leadership, MHP has achieved distinction including being recognized multiple times as a Top 100 Hospital in America by Thompson-Reuters and Truven Health and a Top Technology Hospital. Mr. Horner is a 1981 graduate of the Purdue University School of Pharmacy, is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, a current Board Member of the Indiana Hospital Association and formerly served as Central District President of the Indiana Healthcare Association, 2014-2015. In 2020, the Indiana Hospital Association recognized Mr. Horner with their highest award, the Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contributions made to MHP, the Community and the health care profession. Mr. Horner is a Shelbyville native and is active in numerous community activities.

Linda Wessic joined Major Health Partners (MHP) in 1981 and has served in her current role as Vice President of Nursing Services since 2012.

Ms. Wessic was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Evansville in 1981, a Master of Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University in 1994 and is a Board-Certified Nurse Executive with the American Nurses Credentialing Center and is certified in Executive Nursing Practice by the American Organization of Nurse Executives. Ms. Wessic has professional memberships with the American Organization of Nurse Executives, Indiana Organization of Nurse Executives, VHA (Vizient) Chief Nursing Executive/Chief Operating Officer Peer Group, American Nurses Association, and Indiana State Nurses Association, and she also serves on the Indiana University Columbus School of Nursing Advisory Council. Community Involvement includes participation in various community health fairs, resource person for Blue River Vocation School Health Careers Program, and past service to Girls Inc. as a Board Member.

Ralph Mercuri has been Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since 2008. Mr. Mercuri is responsible for the day-to-day financial operations as well as the planning, organization, and management of all MHP financial activities. Mr. Mercuri was awarded a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Dayton in 1980, a Bachelor of Science (Magna Cum Laude) degree in Accounting from the University of Dayton in 1978, and an Associate of Arts (Applied Science with Honors) degree from Sinclair Community College in 1973 and has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1992. Mr. Mercuri is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and an Advanced Member of the Hospital Financial Management Association. He has also served on various boards and community service organizations.

Ryan Claxton has been with Major Health Partners (MHP) since October 2007. Mr. Claxton is responsible for management, oversight and development of multiple affiliated entities and services including MHP’s outpatient physician practices, multiple on-site/employer-based clinics, a combined urgent care/occupational clinic, health benefit plan administration and contractual relations, hospital JV relationships, and risk management. Mr. Claxton acts as the liaison to local employers for health care and related services.

Mr. Claxton was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wabash College in 2001 and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence degree from Indiana University School of Law in May 2004. Mr. Claxton has served on Shelby County Council since 2012 and has been active with numerous other community organizations including the Major Hospital Foundation, Man of the Year Candidate for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, President of Shelby County Development Corporation Board of Directors, Board of Directors for Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, President of Early Learning Shelby County, Secretary for J. Kenneth Self Shelbyville Boy’s Club Board of Directors, President of the Shelby County United Fund Board of Directors, and former Vice President of Girls, Inc. Board of Directors.

Jeff Williams has served as the Vice President of Facility Operations since January 2009. Mr. Williams is responsible for management of the Engineering and Environmental Services departments as well as building projects, safety, and security. He also serves as MHP’s Safety Officer and Bio-Terrorism Coordinator.

Mr. Williams was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology from Ball State University in 1983. Community activities include Morristown Indiana Chamber of Commerce Past President, over 20 years' service to Indiana Workforce Development System where he was appointed by Governor Daniels to the Indiana Joint Workforce Investment Board, Central Indiana Regional Workforce Board past Chairman, Circle Seven Work Force Investment Board past Chairman, over 15 years services as a Volunteer Fire Fighter, Rescue Captain, Assistant Chief, and Chief. He is also served in the United States Army Reserve where he retired as an Operations Officer.

Dr. Paula Gustafson serves as MHP’s Vice President, Chief Medical Officer and as a board-certified pediatrician and lifestyle medicine physician at MHP Pediatrics. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), a board member of the Indiana Chapter of the AAP, and a member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. She is an active health leader in her local community and state with a focus on childhood obesity and early brain development. Dr. Gustafson is a founding member of the Shelby County Early Learning Coalition.

Dr. Gustafson earned a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at General Motors Institute (Kettering University), a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering at MIT, an MBA at INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France, and her Medical Degree at Indiana University School of Medicine. She completed her pediatric residency at IU Health and has been practicing pediatrics in Shelbyville, Indiana, for 20+ years.

Heather Ross has been with Major Health Partners since 2013. Heather began her career at MHP as the Director of Business Development and moved into her current role as Vice President of Population Health in 2022. Heather was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Indiana Wesleyan College and is an Indiana Licensed Health Facility Administrator, Merkin Scholar, and is certified in Value-based Care.

Heather has been instrumental in the development and implementation of the Primary Care Cardiometabolic Center Alliance located in MHP Family and Internal Medicine, the first model of its kind in the nation. Heather is also responsible for the development and redefining of new care and payment models for MHP.

Heather formerly served on the Shelby Eastern School Board for a four-year term.

Gene Jones has been a member of MHP’s Board of Directors since March 1999, serving as the Board’s President since 2008. Gene has served as a member of the Fiscal Resource Committee and previously served as Treasurer of the Board of Directors. In 2021, Gene retired from Slattery & Holman, PC, located in Carmel, Indiana. He was one of five partners at the firm where he had been a certified public accountant since 1985. Over his career, Gene has been on the following boards and/or committees:

• Blue River Foundation Governance Committee
• Batesville Country Club Board - Director and Treasurer

• Major Hospital Foundation Board Member - Executive Committee and Treasurer
• Major Affiliates Board of Directors - Vice Chairperson

Jan Sandman has been a member of MHP’s Board of Directors since February 2006. Jan previously served as a member of the Patient Services & Planning Committee and has served as the Board’s Vice President since 2008. Jan graduated with a Doctorate of Pharmacy degree from Butler University in 1993. She joined Eli Lilly and Company in 1993 holding a variety of roles for the development of multiple products in Lilly Research Laboratories. Jan is Six Sigma Black Belt certified. Over her career, Jan has been on the following boards and/or committees:

• Elder of the First Christian Church
• Butler University Alumni Association Board of Directors

Jeff Beaty has been a member of MHP’s Board of Directors since February 2003. Jeff previously served as a member of the Patient Services & Planning Committee and is currently Chairman of the Fiscal Resource Committee. He served as Vice Chairperson of MHP’s Board of Directors from 2006 to 2007 and has been serving as Treasurer since 2008. Jeff is a part owner of C-Tech, which provides fencing and guardrails for highways, and Beaty Construction. Jeff is a past President and Director of the Triton Youth Athletic Association Master Board and is currently Chairman of the First Christian Church Board.

Dr. Douglas Carter has been a member of MHP’s Board of Directors since January 1993. Dr. Carter is Secretary of the Board and has served in that position since 1999 and previously served as Chairperson of the Patient Services & Planning Committee. Dr. Carter received his Doctorate of Medicine from Indiana University in 1977 and completed his postgraduate training at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dr. Carter, board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, started his Shelbyville practice and became a member of the hospital’s active medical staff in 1980. Over his career, Dr. Carter has been on the following boards and/or committees:

• Major Hospital, V.P. & Chief Medical Officer (2012-2017)
• Major Hospital, Medical Director Hospitalist Program (2007-2017)
• Indiana Live Casino, Medical Director (2010-2017)

• Ashford Place, Long Term Care, Medical Director (2005-2016)
• Heritage Manor, Long Term Care, Medical Director (1982-1992)
• Private Internal Medicine Practice (1980-2007)

Member of MHP Major Hospital’s Medical Executive Staff Committee as:

• Chief of Medicine (1986, 1987, 1990, 1993 & 1994)
• Vice Chief of Staff (1992)
• Secretary (1988 & 1989)

John Coffin has been a member of MHP’s Board of Directors since October 2009. John graduated from Purdue University with a BS in Management and holds an MBA degree from Indiana University. He worked for General Electric and Wellman Thermal Systems in various management positions from 1978 to 1986, prior to forming Atmosphere Dynamics Corporation in 1986. John continues to serve as Owner and President of Atmosphere Dynamics Corporation. John has served on the following boards and/or committees:

• Major Hospital Foundation Board Member - Executive Committee and Finance Committee
• Indian Creek Christian Church - Vice Chairman, Management Board
• First Baptist Church - Moderator and Chairman of the Deacon Board
• BPO Elks #457 - Chair Officer

Dana Caldwell has been a member of MHP’s Board of Directors since February 2008 and serves as a member of the Fiscal Resources Committee. Dana is President and owner of Caldwell Development, LLC, located in Morristown, Indiana and helps farm over 2,000 acres in Shelby and Hancock Counties. Prior to this, Dana co-owned and operated CGS Services in Morristown, which was a family owned and operated business from 1946-2017. Over his career, Dana has been on the following boards and/or committees:

• Church Trustee at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church since 2018
• Past President and Board Member of Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce

• Past Board Member of Shelby County Area Chamber of Commerce
• Past Board Member of the Shelby County Health Clinic
• Past Board Member of Shelby County United Fund (SCUFFY)
• Past Shelby County Solid Waste Advisory Board Member
• Purdue Integrated Resource Management (IRM) Member

Sherri Tandy has been a member of MHP’s Board of Directors since February 2006 and previously served as a member of the Patient Services & Planning Committee. She graduated from the University of Indianapolis with a degree in Nursing and has worked at the Northwestern Consolidated School District since 1990 as the school nurse. Over her career, Sherri has served on the following boards and/or committees:

• Member of the Board of Directors for the Shelby Community Health Center

• Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children (CASA)
• Member of Shelby County Safety Committee
• Past member of Shelby County Child Protection Team