Phoebe Ministries Promotes Richards, Baer to COO, CFO Posts

Phoebe Ministries, based in Allentown, Pa., has promoted two of its long-time employees to chief officer roles. Robert Richards, CPA, is the new executive vice president and chief operating officer (COO); and Thomas Baer, CPA, is the new senior vice president of finance and chief financial officer (CFO). Both appointments came following the retirement of former COO Lisa Fichera, who retired in December 2021 after 43 years with Phoebe.

As the COO of Phoebe Ministries, Richards is responsible for the overall management of health care services, pharmacy services operations, marketing, human resources, and affordable housing operations. Richards also serves as a staff liaison to Phoebe’s governing board and board committees, and is a member of the subscriber committee for the Phoebe Reciprocal Risk Retention Group.

Hired by Phoebe in 2015 as senior vice president of finance, Richards was promoted to CFO in 2017. Prior to coming to Phoebe, he served as vice president of finance/CFO of Good Samaritan Health System in Lebanon, Pa; and as vice president of finance at Montgomery Hospital in Norristown, Pa. 

A resident of Lebanon, Richards graduated from Thomas Jefferson University (formerly known as Philadelphia University) with a B.S. degree in accounting. 

As the senior vice president of finance and CFO, Baer establishes and guides Phoebe’s financial policies and direction. In this role, he oversees the billing and revenue cycle department and is responsible for directing the finance, contract services, and information technology departments. Additionally, he serves as a staff liaison to Phoebe’s governing board, works closely with the audit, finance and investment Committee, a sub-committee of the board. He also is a member of the subscriber committee for the Phoebe Reciprocal Risk Retention Group.

Hired by Phoebe in 2007 as the corporate controller, Baer was promoted to executive director of finance in 2014. Before coming to Phoebe, Baer worked for Campbell, Rappold, and Yurasits LLP. 

A resident of Whitehall, Pa., Baer graduated from Shippensburg University with a B.S. degree in accounting.