Administration and Departments

Maggie Hudson, MBA

President & CEO

Maggie Hudson joined Santiam Hospital in 1993; prior to her appointment in 2020 to
President & CEO, Maggie served nearly 20 years as Santiam’s CFO/COO. She earned a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Oregon. She served as Board
Chair at Willamette Valley Community Health from 2018-2020.

As President & CEO Maggie is a committed steward of Santiam Hospital and its mission to be a partner in good health, delivering high-quality, compassionate care. “With highly trained medical staff and advanced healthcare technology, we provide the expertise to help you heal in a safe and compassionate environment,” she says. “We strive to make your visit as comfortable as possible and value your feedback, as you are the most important person on your healthcare team.”

In her spare time, Maggie is an avid runner, recreational tennis player, enjoys the outdoors, traveling and spending time with her friends and family. She lives in Salem with her husband Mark Hoyt; they have two adult children, Abby and Riley.

As Maggie says, “My door is always open, please walk in. I would love to hear from you about how Santiam Hospital is meeting or could better meet your healthcare needs.”

Sherri Steele, RN, BSN, MSN

Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)

Sherri Steele is a health care professional with 32 years of highly varied experience, including clinical practice, management and leadership. She joined Santiam in 2017 as Chief Nursing Officer; prior to that she was Chief Nursing Officer at Providence Medford Medical Center in Medford, Oregon where she was responsible for all inpatient nursing departments in the 168-bed hospital. Sherri served on the Providence Oregon Regional Nursing Leadership Council, and is a member of the Area Trauma Advisory Board and North West Organization for Nurse Executives. She was a finalist for Nurse of the Year for Oregon in 2012. As an administrator, Sherri is skilled in labor relations, collaboration, performance management, physician relations, strategic planning and project management. 

Sherri began her healthcare career in the United States Air Force, where she trained as a Medical Service Specialist and EMT; after an honorable discharge, she worked as a medical assistant and phlebotomist. She holds a nursing degree from College of Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore, and earned a master’s degree in Nursing with a specialty in Healthcare Administration from Walden University. Prior to moving to Oregon, she worked at Franklin Square Hospital in Baltimore, where she rose from staff nurse to manager of 117 nurses. 

“Community is a group of individuals who share common interests and goals,” says Sherri. “At Santiam Hospital, we are committed to providing great healthcare and being a source of support for our community.”

Steve Vets, DO

Chief Medical Officer (CMO)

Dr. Steven Vets is an Emergency Department physician and Santiam Hospital’s first Chief Medical Officer (CMO). He originally hails from New Jersey and has always had a strong interest in healthcare, specifically Emergency Medicine. His medical journey began as a high school student, when he earned EMT credentials. After working as an EMT for two years, he entered nursing school at Atlantic County Community College and earned an RN license. He later attended Rutgers University to study Biology. 

Dr. Vets first joined Santiam Hospital in the late 1990s as a nurse, working in a number of positions. After working as a RN for several years, he returned to the east coast to study medicine at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his residency at University of Buffalo in Emergency Medicine and his fellowship in Point of Care Ultrasound at Morristown Medical Center. He is Board Certified in Emergency Medicine. 

Dr. Vets returned to Santiam Hospital in 2013 after working in the Emergency Departments of several large hospitals on the east coast. Dr. Vets is passionate about healthcare, saying “it underscores the humanistic interconnection among people.” In respect to Santiam Hospital he says: “As an independent hospital, our responsibility is directly to the community we serve and live in. Our goal is to provide welcoming care to our community members no matter where their treatment takes them.” 

Since 2017, Dr. Vets has served as an attending physician in the Emergency Department of the Veterans Health Administration in Portland, Oregon. He also serves as Medical Director for a number of rural fire protection districts operating throughout the Santiam Canyon. 

In his spare time, Dr. Vets enjoys cooking, photography and gardening. He and his wife Veneta, a pediatrician, enjoy traveling and exploring the Northwest and beyond with their children and dog.

Rachael Seeder, CPA, CHFP

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Rachael Seeder grew up on a farm in Silverton, Oregon and attended Oregon State University. She joined Santiam Hospital in 2002 as a staff accountant and took on the role of CFO in 2020; before joining the hospital she worked as a public accounting auditor. Rachael uses her financial skills to support the mission of Santiam Hospital.  She is also active in the Healthcare Financial Management Association, Oregon Chapter, serving as treasurer from 2017-2020.  

When asked what community means to her, Rachael says: “It represents a sense of belonging in the place where you work, play, and live.” 

Rachael loves cooking, hiking and traveling. She is a sports fan and also enjoys working in her garden. Rachael lives in Woodburn with her husband, Gary, and their two children.