On Tuesday m
orning, LHC members gathered for an executive briefing with Karen Springer, who was recently appointed president and CEO of Saint Thomas Health. In addition to outlining the organization’s position as part of Ascension Health, the largest non-profit health system in the United States, Springer described the mission-driven work of Saint Thomas as she looks to the future of a rapidly changing industry.
Among her many priorities, Springer identified patient access, interoperability and value-based care as key priorities over the next several years. She described a new “smarter network” program that the organization is implementing to integrate systems so that they know more about patients in real-time, allowing for more efficient, patient-centered care.
Springer also shared career advice for the young professionals in the audience.
“Continue improving and growing,” she said. “Sometimes people see things in you that you don’t see in yourself, so when you’re offered an opportunity, take it. Don’t be afraid of a new challenge.”
Before assuming her current position in 2015, Karen Springer previously served as Saint Thomas Health COO with responsibility for operational success and effectiveness of hospital facilities, physician practices and numerous joint ventures. Springer joined Saint Thomas Health in 2011 after serving as executive vice president and COO of Lutheran Hospital of Indiana for four years. She began her health care leadership career in the Lutheran Hospital System in Fort Wayne, Indiana, serving first as director for cardiovascular and medical/surgical ICUs. Springer began her career as a nurse before working in hospital administration.
This executive briefing was part of ongoing programming for the Council’s Leadership Health Care initiative, offering members insight from national industry leaders in an interactive setting. For more information about Leadership Health Care, visit www.leadershiphealthcare.com.