Kaiser Honored For Visionary Leadership
Laura S. Kaiser, FACHE, President and CEO of SSM Health in St. Louis, has been honored with the Missouri Hospital Association’s Visionary Leadership Award. The award, established in 1999, recognizes hospital executives who have taken innovative approaches to improving health in Missouri. The award was presented Nov. 5 at MHA’s 103rd Annual Convention in St. Charles, Mo.
“Laura’s vision for improving health in the communities SSM Health serves extends beyond providing the best care,” said Jon D. Doolittle, MHA President and CEO. “Her leadership is grounded in the health system’s mission and powered by a vision for improved health through clinical and nonclinical investments using the strength of the health system and its partners to support wellness and opportunity. We are honored that she has chosen MHA as a key partner to advance our mutual missions in so many ways.”
To strengthen local economic opportunities and create value, Kaiser forged a partnership with BJC HealthCare to build a shared laundry facility for the health systems. The facility, located in downtown St. Louis, creates investment and jobs locally. Similarly, during her tenure, SSM Health has made significant investments in the city of St. Louis. It opened the new SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital in 2020 and currently is constructing a new SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.
Kaiser’s vision includes identifying gaps and filling them. She has invested in SSM Health’s behavioral health urgent care system and is committed to a strong referral system for patients to help them access ongoing care and wellness support. In addition, she’s joined other community partners to collaborate with the St. Louis Community Credit Union to expand access to capital for small businesses in underserved areas.
“Laura is an outstanding servant leader. But more than that, she is a shining example of somebody who cares,” said Samuel Ross, M.D., M.S., Board Chair of SSM Health. “And when someone cares, they go above and beyond to bring other like-minded people together to make a difference. Laura’s leadership is about the commitment to making a difference in the region and the nation for those we in health care are called to serve.”
Photo caption: Craig Thompson, P.T., FACHE, CEO of Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare in Clinton, Mo., and 2025 MHA Board Chair, (left) and Jon D. Doolittle, MHA President and CEO of the Missouri Hospital Association (right), present Laura Kaiser, President and CEO of SSM Health in St. Louis, with a 2025 Visionary Leadership Award.
The Missouri Hospital Association is a nonprofit association in Jefferson City that represents 136 Missouri hospitals. In addition to representation and advocacy on behalf of its membership, the association offers continuing education programs on current health care topics and seeks to educate the public about health care issues.