Essence Montgomery, CPA, MBA

Essence Montgomery, CPA, MBA, is excited to join St. Joseph Medical Center, part of Prime Healthcare, as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO).  She brings over 19 years of healthcare finance experience.  Essence has served as the CFO for St. Mary’s Medical Center for the past three years.  Prior to that, she spent four years at St. Francis Health as the Administrative Director of Finance and eventually promoted to Chief Financial Officer / Vice President of Financial Services.

Prior to joining St. Francis, Essence spent 12 years at Saint Luke’s Health System in Kansas City serving in various finance leadership roles at the hospital, medical group, and Corporate levels.  Essence has served on several Boards contributing her financial and healthcare experience, including Life Star of Kansas (air ambulance service) and St. Francis Foundation; she currently serves on the OATS Transit Board.  Essence is also a member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association and participates in many of its programs.  Essence is a doting mother to her two young sons.  She is a Kansas City native and enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.  She is passionate about community service and community access to healthcare services.  She prioritizes collaborating with as well as empowering and educating other leaders on healthcare finance.

Essence is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Master’s in Business Administration with Accounting emphasis and a Bachelor’s of Science in Accounting, both from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri.