Mat Gass has become the third CEO for Burrell Behavioral Health since the business was founded in 1977. Burrell, which employs more than 1,800 people in the Springfield metro area and 2,056 employees across the state, is a part of Brightli, Inc., a parent organization with more than 6,000 team members. Gass holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Missouri Valley College and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Missouri. The native of Omaha, Arkansas has been in the behavioral health care field for twenty-five years and spent the last fifteen of those years at Burrell. He became president of Burrell Behavioral Health’s Central Region in 2019. He will continue leading Burrell Behavioral Health, Preferred Family Healthcare, and Clarity Healthcare team members working in what is now Brightli’s North Central Region, which spans thirty-eight counties in Missouri and Illinois. 

Jordan Bales has been promoted from planner to public health and safety manager at the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services. Bales has been with the department since 2022. She now oversees animal control, environmental health, and emergency preparedness. Bales is from St. Louis. She received a BA in health sciences, a master’s in public health, and a certification in epidemiology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. 

Liberty Family Medicine 

Dr. Bonni Heithold, M.D., has joined the team of healthcare providers at Liberty Family Medicine. She is a board-certified pediatrician and lactation consultant, earning her medical degree from the University of Missouri School of Medicine. She cares for patients from newborns through young adults up to age 25. 

Heather Hargrove has returned to the Liberty team full-time as the clinic development director. She will focus on enhancing the patient experience and streamline clinic processes while helping individuals, families, and businesses navigate their healthcare options.