Cody Barnhart Appointed President of St. Luke’s – Brazosport

LAKE JACKSON, Texas (October 12, 2026) – CommonSpirit in Houston is pleased to announce the appointment of Cody Barnhart as the new  President of CommonSpirit - St. Luke’s Hospital - Brazosport, effective October 12, 2026.

Barnhart joins the hospital with a deep background in healthcare leadership, focused on building collaborative teams and advancing patient-centered care. Most recently, he served as CEO of Oro Valley Hospital in Arizona, where he led initiatives to expand surgical services and bring new medical technologies to the community.

“I am honored and excited to join CommonSpirit Health and to have the opportunity to serve alongside such talented physicians, leaders and team members,” said Barnhart. “I look forward to building on the hospital’s strong foundation while fostering a culture of excellence and an unwavering commitment to the people of Brazoria County. I am grateful for this opportunity and excited about what we will accomplish together.”

Barnhart succeeds Bob Trautman, who has served as the hospital’s leader for the past five years. Trautman is credited with establishing a legacy of operational vision and a steadfast commitment to the culture of humankindness that defines the hospital today.

“Cody is a talented leader who shares our deep commitment to patients,” said Brett Esrock, Interim Houston Market President. “Throughout his career, he has successfully led hospitals by focusing on the people who deliver care and the patients who receive it. I am confident that his experience makes him the right person to lead CommonSpirit - St. Luke’s Hospital - Brazosport into its next chapter of providing high-quality care to our community.”

Throughout his career, Barnhart has been recognized for his ability to lead complex hospital operations and his success in bringing new medical services to the communities he serves. A graduate of Montana State University with a master’s degree in health administration, he is a dedicated advocate for high-quality, reliable healthcare.

About CommonSpirit - St. Luke’s Hospital - Brazosport

Located on a scenic 25-acre campus in Lake Jackson, Texas, CommonSpirit - St. Luke’s Hospital - Brazosport delivers state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment services. As South Brazoria County’s premier healthcare system, our 154-bed facility houses an advanced cardiac care center and a full-service, multidisciplinary cancer center. Our dedicated team of over 100 board-certified physicians and nearly 600 skilled employees provides compassionate, quality care across a wide range of specialties, including cardiovascular care, orthopedics, cancer care, and emergency services. At CommonSpirit - St. Luke’s Hospital - Brazosport we are committed to meeting the diverse medical needs of our community, ensuring the right care is available, right here. As one of the country’s largest nonprofit health systems, CommonSpirit Health serves communities across 20 states through an extensive footprint of over 150 hospitals and 2,300 care sites, all driven by a commitment to provide equitable, high-quality care. Learn more at commonspirit.org/brazosport.

About CommonSpirit in Houston 

CommonSpirit in Houston is home to eight inpatient hospitals in Greater Houston, including CommonSpirit – Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, a joint venture research and teaching hospital for Baylor College of Medicine. The renowned expertise offered at St. Luke’s has given rise to breakthroughs in cardiovascular care, neurosciences, oncology, transplantation and more. Home to the nationally-accredited and NCI-designated Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, the system includes more than 1,400 licensed beds and 11,000 employees and clinically aligned providers in Greater Houston. As one of the country’s largest nonprofit health systems, CommonSpirit Health serves communities across 20 states through an extensive footprint of over 150 hospitals and 2,300 care sites, all driven by a commitment to provide equitable, high-quality care. Learn more at commonspirit.org/stlukes.