RICHMOND HEIGHTS, MO – Kathleen (Kate) Becker, MPH, JD, has been named president of SSM St. Mary’s Health Center, effective Sept. 26. Becker will also serve as the SSM Health Care – St. Louis Service Line Executive for the SSM Heart Institute. Becker replaces Bill Jennings, who resigned late last year to accept a new post outside of SSM Health Care.
Becker joins SSM St. Mary’s Health Center from Saint Louis University where she served as the Chief Executive Officer for SLUCare, the University’s multispecialty medical practice with more than 380 faculty physicians and 800 staff members in multiple inpatient and ambulatory locations. She has extensive experience in operations, program development, and strategic planning. Becker has also served as Associate General Counsel for the University and has held key positions in a variety of law firms.
“Through my role with SLUCare, I have had the chance to work with SSM St. Mary’s and have admired the organization’s mission and approach to delivering quality care,” said Becker, 48, a St. Louis native. “I am looking forward to this opportunity ― I was even born at St. Mary’s!”
Becker will be responsible for continuing to improve quality, safety and the growth of exceptional services at SSM St. Mary’s; deepening alignment and relationships with physicians; and strengthening patient, physician and employee satisfaction.
“Kate’s track record of success, leadership ability and energy were noted routinely during extensive discussions conducted with physicians and other SSM St. Mary’s team members,” said James Sanger, President and CEO of SSM Health Care – St. Louis.
Becker holds a master’s degree in public health and health policy from Saint Louis University, a JD degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law, and a bachelor of arts degree in English from Saint Louis University.
About SSM St. Mary’s Health Center
Conveniently located in Richmond Heights, Mo., SSM St. Mary's Health Center is a contemporary, 525-bed hospital with distinctive capabilities in state-of-the-art heart surgery, a chest pain center, advanced stroke care, high-risk obstetrical services, fetal surgery, and the latest imaging and outpatient services. Also a teaching hospital, SSM St. Mary’s Health Center is home to an accredited internal medicine residency program and to Saint Louis University School of Medicine’s Obstetrics/Gynecology and Family Medicine residency programs. SSM St. Mary's Health Center is winner of the Premier QUEST High Performing Hospital award. It is a member of SSM Health Care – St. Louis, a Missouri Quality Award winner. To learn more, visit ssmhealth.com/stmarys.
About SSM Heart Institute
A service of SSM Health Care – St. Louis, SSM Heart Institute is the St. Louis region’s most experienced provider of comprehensive heart care. A team of more than 100 skilled cardiologists, electrophysiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons provides the most advanced treatment, advanced techniques and unparalleled experience for the best clinical outcomes. Combined with expert nursing and technical staff, this team offers a full range of services to prevent, diagnose and treat heart disease. SSM Heart Institute services are available at five SSM hospitals located in St. Louis and St. Charles counties. For more information, go to www.ssmhealth.com/heart.
For media inquires, contact:
Stacey Rynders
Communications Specialist
SSM St. Mary’s Health Center
314-768-8801 (office)
314-908-0688 (pager)
Stacey_L_Rynders@ssmhc.com