SSM Health’s Dr. Fred Rottnek, who is internationally renowned for his work in addiction medicine and for improving the health of prison inmates, has been named the 2026 winner of the Sister Carol Keehan Award by the Catholic Health Association (CHA).
In addition, three SSM Health executives under 40 years of age – Seth Lovell, Dr. Alyssa Penick and Rachel Polzin – have been named by CHA to a distinguished group of “Tomorrow’s Leaders.” Lovell is system vice president of Nursing Transformation and Innovation. Penick is a family medicine physician in SSM Health’s Oklahoma region. Polzin is an assistant general counsel in the health system’s Wisconsin region.
The Sister Carol Keehan Award is given to someone whose work is described as boldly championing society's most vulnerable and who advances the healing mission of Jesus by valiantly advocating for a more equitable and compassionate health system.
Dr. Rottnek’s 31-year career has been based on advocacy for others, from people dealing with opioid use disorders, to individuals in jails and prisons, to those who are unhoused. He is an international expert on addiction medicine, and a compassionate SSM Health physician and Saint Louis University professor.
He is a sought-after connector, bringing together people and organizations who share his passion to advocate for the poor and the vulnerable. From 2001 to 2016, he concurrently served as the medical director of the Saint Louis County Jail and Juvenile Detention at Family Courts.
More recently, he worked with the law school at Saint Louis University to launch an ambitious Medical Legal Partnership. Resident physicians at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital work in tandem with law students to advocate for families served by Glennon, where Dr. Rottnek completed much of his own training.
The awards will be given at CHA’s Assembly, scheduled for June 2–4 in St. Louis.
