ST. LOUIS, MO (January 6, 2022) – Rev. Michael Rozier, S.J., Ph.D., has been named President of SSM Health Ministries, the sponsoring body responsible for preserving SSM Health’s Roman Catholic identity and serving as liaison to the Vatican. Fr. Rozier succeeds Larry LeGrand, who served in the role for the past two years. While LeGrand is stepping down as President, he will continue to serve on SSM Health Ministries (SSMHM) as well as the SSM Health board.
Fr. Rozier first joined SSMHM and the SSM Health Board in 2018. He serves as Assistant Professor of health management and policy in Saint Louis University’s College for Public Health and Social Justice. He earned his Ph.D. in health management and public policy from the University of Michigan. He also holds an M.Div. from Boston College, an M.H.S. from Johns Hopkins University, and a B.A. in chemistry from Saint Louis University. He previously worked as an ethics fellow with the World Health Organization.
“Fr. Rozier’s deep expertise in public health and passion for social justice make him a wonderful fit for this important role,” said Laura S. Kaiser, FACHE, president/chief executive officer of SSM Health. “His valuable insight and leadership will help us further our Mission to ensure all people have access to the care they need.”
In addition, SSM Health has announced the selection of three new board members: Janice Burnett, John Hardt, Ph.D., and Carolyn Kindle Betz.
Before retiring in 2019, Burnett served as Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer for Bon Secours Health System. An Air Force veteran, Burnett previously worked for Ascension Health, BJC Healthcare and Ernst & Young. She also is a member of the Sisters of Bon Secours USA Stewardship Board Committee and the Allina Health ACC.
Hardt will join SSMHM in addition to serving on the health system’s Board of Directors. He is the Vice Dean of Professional Formation and Associate Professor of Bioethics at Loyola University’s Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago. His research and writing have focused on professional ethics, end-of-life care in the Catholic tradition, neonatal ethics and physician conscience in the clinical encounter.
Kindle Betz is CEO and leads the ownership group for the recently named MLS soccer team in St. Louis – St. Louis CITY SC – the first such group in MLS history to be majority-owned by women. She also serves as President of the Enterprise Holdings Foundation, the charitable arm of Enterprise Holdings Inc. As president, Kindle Betz develops and implements the Foundation’s long-term philanthropic strategies and objectives.
“Janice, John and Carolyn each bring unique experience and expertise that will help enhance the work of our Board,” said Rick Corcoran, chair of the SSM Health Board. “I look forward to partnering with them in supporting SSM Health’s Vision of transforming health care in America to improve the lives of patients and the health of communities.”
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About SSM Health
SSM Health is a Catholic, not-for-profit health system serving the comprehensive health needs of communities across the Midwest through a robust and fully integrated health care delivery system. The organization’s nearly 40,000 employees and 11,000 providers are committed to providing exceptional health care services and revealing God’s healing presence to everyone they serve.
With care delivery sites in Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Wisconsin, SSM Health includes 23 hospitals, more than 290 physician offices and other outpatient and virtual care services, 10 post-acute facilities, comprehensive home care and hospice services, a pharmacy benefit company, a health insurance company and an accountable care organization. It is one of the largest employers in every community it serves. For more information, visit ssmhealth.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter.
