Joan Bachleitner, JD

Chief Strategy Officer

As Chief Strategy Officer of SSM Health, Joan Bachleitner is responsible for SSM Health’s short- and long-term strategic positioning, which includes strategic planning, business development, new ventures, affiliations and ongoing transformation. She also leads digital health, and data and analytics.

Ms. Bachleitner, who became Chief Strategy Officer in September 2023, previously served as SSM Health’s Chief Growth Officer. She brings to the role extensive health care experience, focusing on growth, partnerships, service line and program development, digital and value-based care initiatives. She joined SSM Health in 2021, and previously worked for the organization for seven years in various strategy, business development and marketing roles. In between, Ms. Bachleitner served as Chief Strategy Officer of Ascension Health’s Wisconsin Region for five years. Prior to working in healthcare, she practiced law for seven years in Madison and Chicago, with a focus on commercial real estate development, leasing, acquisition/divestiture, financing law and corporate law.

Ms. Bachleitner holds a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science and law, sociology, and criminal justice from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, as well as a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School. She currently serves on the boards of directors for the Wisconsin Historical Society Foundation, the Erdman Center for Operations and Technology Management at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Business School, and the Barrymore Theatre.