SSM Health Executive Leadership

As President and Chief Executive Officer, Laura S. Kaiser leads SSM Health, a $12.7 billion Catholic, not-for-profit, integrated health system serving communities across the Midwest. Headquartered in St. Louis, SSM Health includes hospitals, physician offices, outpatient and virtual care services, senior care facilities, comprehensive home care and hospice services, a pharmacy benefit management company, a health insurance company and an accountable care organization. The more than 40,000 team members and 15,000+ providers at SSM Health are committed to delivering exceptional health care services and revealing God’s healing presence to everyone they serve.

Ms. Kaiser joined SSM Health in May 2017, bringing decades of experience in health care strategy, value-based care, improving health outcomes, fueling innovation, driving performance and growth, creating partnerships and leading change while fostering a healthy and inclusive culture.

Ms. Kaiser previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Intermountain Health in Salt Lake City, Utah. She also served at Ascension Health in a number of senior leadership roles including Regional Executive for the Gulf Coast/Florida region and President/Chief Executive Officer at Sacred Heart Health System in Pensacola, Florida.

Ms. Kaiser serves on several boards including the American Hospital Association, Greater St. Louis Inc., Merit Medical, Navitus Health Solutions, and the Seton Shrine National Leaders Council.

She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Missouri, and Master of Business Administration and Master of Healthcare Administration degrees from Saint Louis University. Ms. Kaiser is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and has been named one of the “100 Most Influential People in Healthcare” by Modern Healthcare magazine for the past eight years.

As Regional President for SSM Health in Wisconsin, Sue Anderson oversees strategy and operations to provide exceptional health care services across the state.

She is responsible for seven hospitals, 65 clinics, and more than 10,000 team members and 1,800 providers for SSM Health in Wisconsin – serving as a passionate, collaborative, and experienced health care leader, with a strong track record of achieving results in operational excellence and sustained growth across integrated delivery systems. Ms. Anderson is well-known for her ability to build trusted relationships with providers, team members, board members and the community.

Before joining SSM Health in 2022, Ms. Anderson served as Executive Vice President for Virginia Mason Health System and President of Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle. Prior to that, she served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Information Officer for Virginia Mason Health System. She serves on several boards, including the Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality, Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce, and Wisconsin Hospital Association.

Ms. Anderson holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s degree in business administration from Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

As SSM Health’s Chief Administrative Officer, Caroline Battles is committed to elevating the system’s national and industry presence, reputation, and brand, while also ensuring successful implementation of strategic organizational initiatives. She is responsible for Marketing and Communications, and manages activities, communications, and materials of the organization’s board of directors – fostering strong connectedness across key constituents within and external to SSM Health.

Ms. Battles joined SSM Health in 2024 as Vice President of Governance and Executive Communications before moving into her current role. She previously served as Vice President of Advocacy and External Affairs at Ascension, where she collaborated with leaders across the organization to develop and execute a strategic approach to build healthier communities through efforts to impact public policy, community development and collaboration, and stakeholder engagement.

Prior to joining Ascension in 2013, she served as Chief of Staff for a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and Director of Public Policy for the Missouri Foundation for Health, where she developed and implemented a comprehensive government relations plan and a multi-year strategy resulting in a statewide consumer advocacy organization.

Ms. Battles holds a master’s degree in business administration from Washington University in St. Louis and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. She currently serves on the St. Louis County Workforce Investment Board.

As SSM Health’s Chief Digital and Information Officer, Saad Chaudhry is responsible for the direction and oversight of key technology and facilities-related functions. These include information technology, digital patient engagement, clinical informatics, and analytics. His oversight also extends to the system’s facilities, real estate operations, and physical security.

Mr. Chaudhry joined SSM Health in 2024 as the organization's first Chief Digital Officer before stepping into the expanded role of Chief Digital and Information Officer. With more than 20 years of experience in health care technology, he most recently served as Chief Digital and Information Officer at Annapolis, Maryland-based Luminis Health. Prior to that, he held various leadership roles overseeing health care technology initiatives and teams at organizations in the United States, including Johns Hopkins Medicine, UPMC and McKesson; and abroad in the United Arab Emirates at Gartner and Saudi German Health.

A certified health care chief information officer (CHCIO) and digital health executive (CDH-E), Mr. Chaudhry has been recognized by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) as a "Top Future-50 Leader" for his digital transformation work. He serves on the boards of several organizations, including the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) and Graphite Health.

Mr. Chaudhry holds a bachelor’s degree in health care computer systems and a master's degree in communications and information systems from Robert Morris University, as well as a master’s degree in public policy specializing in health care from Carnegie Mellon University. He also serves as an adjunct faculty member at the School of Health at Georgetown University.

As Chief Clinical Officer, Stephanie Duggan is responsible for driving strategies to achieve SSM Health’s objectives in providing exceptional health care and is working toward transforming SSM Health to a value-based care delivery system.

Dr. Duggan became Chief Clinical Officer of SSM Health in November 2023 and serves as senior leadership’s chief lead on clinical strategy and operations and care transformation. She also oversees the system’s medical group operations. She joined SSM Health from Ascension Michigan, where she led strategic growth and operations as President and Chief Executive Officer of the system’s northern Michigan region for five years.

Dr. Duggan previously served as Ascension Alabama’s Chief Clinical Officer and worked as the dyad leader with the Chief Operating Officer to oversee all medical and operational components of the six-hospital health system. Prior to that, she held various leadership positions at Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, Florida, including Chief Medical Officer.

Trained in emergency medicine, Dr. Duggan earned her medical degree and completed her residency at Wayne State University. Becker’s Hospital Review named her to its 2026 list of “Hospital and Health System CMOs to Know.”

As Regional President for SSM Health in St. Louis and Southern Illinois, Jeremy Fotheringham oversees strategy and operations to improve all aspects of the health care experience in those communities.

He is an experienced executive leader, and has strengthened regional partnerships and driven results in health care organizations nationwide, focusing on patient experience, operational efficiency, performance improvement, and quality outcomes. In SSM Health’s St. Louis and Southern Illinois regions, he oversees three academic hospitals, seven community hospitals, 15,400 team members and a medical group with more than 1,300 providers.

Before joining SSM Health in 2021, Mr. Fotheringham worked in several leadership roles at the University of Missouri, Intermountain Health, and the University of Utah Health System. As Chief Executive Officer of Marrek Inc., he led the company to achieve U.S. Food and Drug Administration and CE mark approval for a fibrosis identification tool for cardiac arrhythmias.

Prior to his administrative and leadership roles, Mr. Fotheringham started his career as a registered nurse. He holds Master of Health Systems Administration and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Kansas, and a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Brigham Young University. He serves on several boards, including the Missouri Hospital Association, St. Louis Regional Business Council, CEOs Against Cancer, and the St. Louis Sports Commission.

As Chief Community Health Officer, Alexander Garza is responsible for deepening SSM Health’s focus on social determinants of health, equity and social justice, as well as supporting the work of SSM Health’s transition to population health.

Dr. Garza has decades of experience in public health, quality and safety and policy development. He organized and led SSM Health’s overall response to the COVID-19 pandemic and then assumed the role of Incident Commander for the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force, overseeing the region’s coordinated response efforts.

Dr. Garza became Chief Community Health Officer in August 2020, after serving as Chief Medical Officer since 2018, overseeing quality, patient safety and clinical analytics. Prior to this role, he served as SSM Health’s Chief Quality Officer, as well as Chief Medical Officer for the St. Louis region.

Board-certified in emergency medicine, Dr. Garza has over 13 years practicing and teaching in academic medicine. Before joining SSM Health, he was an Associate Dean and Professor at the Saint Louis University College of Public Health and Social Justice. He has published numerous scientific papers on original research in peer reviewed journals and lectured nationally and internationally.

Previously, he served as Assistant Secretary and Chief Medical Officer to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. He legislated health, medical and biodefense authority for the DHS and played a critical role in protecting the United States from threats of terrorism. Dr. Garza is also a Colonel with more than 20 years of service in the U.S. Army Reserves. He is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, and serves as the Command Surgeon for the 108th Training Command. He has received numerous awards for his service, including the Bronze Star and the Combat Action Badge.

Dr. Garza received a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, a medical degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a master’s degree in public health from Saint Louis University. He has been recognized by Modern Healthcare magazine as one of the "50 Most Influential Clinical Executives" in the United States and serves on the boards of multiple organizations including the Missouri Foundation for Health.

As SSM Health’s Chief Operations Executive and Regional President for Oklahoma and Mid-Missouri, Joe Hodges oversees operations in those two regions, while ensuring strategic alignment across the system to provide exceptional health care services in every community we serve.

Mr. Hodges is a results-oriented leader, deeply committed to innovation, partnerships and community health. In SSM Health’s Oklahoma and Mid-Missouri regions, he oversees seven hospitals, nearly 7,000 team members, and more than 1,500 physicians and providers. Prior to serving as Regional President and stepping into the expanded role of Chief Operations Executive, Mr. Hodges worked since 1992 in a variety of leadership roles at SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital - Oklahoma City, including President, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and Vice President of Operations and Executive Director of Oncology and Administrative Services.

He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, and serves on the boards of several organizations, including the Oklahoma Hospital Association, Oklahoma Blood Institute, Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, and Leadership Oklahoma City.

Mr. Hodges holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Oklahoma State University, and a master’s degree in health care administration from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

As Chief Mission Integration Officer, Patrick McCruden is responsible for leading the strategic integration of SSM Health’s Mission, Values, Vision and Catholic identity into all aspects of SSM Health. He works closely with Regional Mission leaders to establish effectiveness measures for Mission, ethics and compliance, as well as identify best practices and initiatives across the system. His efforts support SSM Health’s team members and providers in fulfilling their commitment to providing exceptional health care services and revealing God’s healing presence to everyone they serve.

Dr. McCruden became Chief Mission Integration Officer of SSM Health in February 2018. He brings more than 40 years of Catholic health care experience to SSM Health, including 25 years as a mission leader in Iowa and Arkansas. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Mission Officer for Catholic Health Initiatives-St. Vincent, a four-hospital health system in central Arkansas. He is board-certified in chaplaincy and health care ethics consultation and an ordained permanent deacon in the Catholic Church.

Dr. McCruden holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, a Master of Theological Studies degree from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and a master’s degree in bioethics and health policy and a doctorate degree in bioethics from Loyola University Chicago.

As Chief Corporate Development Officer of SSM Health, Victor Radina is responsible for driving growth and expansion through new strategic business opportunities including partnerships, mergers and acquisitions.

Mr. Radina, who became Chief Corporate Development Officer in April 2025, brings to the role extensive expertise in strategic planning, financial analysis, forecasting, and development of growth and integration strategies across the health care continuum. He is highly experienced in mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures across all health care, including health plans, and has successfully led strategic initiatives including ambulatory expansion, physician integration, value-based care enablement, and behavioral health alignment.

He previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer since 2017 at Pennsylvania-based Universal Health Services. Prior to that, he spent 20 years in investment banking, serving in leadership roles at both Morgan Stanley and Citigroup Global Investment Bank where he worked exclusively with not-for-profit health systems and managed care plans across the nation on both strategic engagements and capital raising.

Mr. Radina holds bachelor’s degrees in finance and English from Villanova University, as well as a master’s degree in healthcare administration with a specialization in informatics from Saint Joseph’s University.

As Chief People Officer, Janet Smith-Hill is responsible for the direction and oversight of SSM Health’s Human Resources teams, securing the system’s position as a top employer across its four-state network. Ms. Smith-Hill sets the course for system-wide human resources activities, with oversight of market HR partners, total rewards, talent acquisition, HR operations (people services and HR technology), talent management, including learning and organizational development, and employee/labor relations. She’s also focused on culture and inclusion, and on ensuring SSM Health achieves exceptional engagement and well-being for all employees.

Ms. Smith-Hill has served in her role at SSM Health since 2020. Throughout her 30-year career as a transformational leader, she has focused on modeling values-based leadership; exhibiting strategic business partnering; delivering high-impact talent solutions; fostering organizational health and culture change; implementing forward-thinking performance management initiatives; and cultivating positive and engaging workplace environments.

Prior to joining SSM Health, Ms. Smith-Hill served as Chief Human Resources Officer for Novant Health, a four-state integrated delivery system headquartered in North Carolina. She played a key role in shaping culture and improving organizational effectiveness for the system’s nearly 30,000 employees. Ms. Smith-Hill has also served in nursing administration and leadership roles for other healthcare organizations, including Aetna Health Plans and Duke Health.

Ms. Smith-Hill received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and her master’s degree in nursing administration from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. She was named by Becker’s Hospital Review as one of its “CHROs and Chief People Officers to Know” for 2025. She is also a Certified Professional Coach through the Academy for Creative Coaching, an ICF-ACTP Accredited organization.

As Chief Financial Officer, Kevin Smith is responsible for the direction and oversight of financial services across SSM Health’s four-state network, encompassing long-term planning, operational finance, financial and regulatory reporting, revenue cycle, internal audit, financial planning, supply chain management, payor contracting, treasury, and operating and capital budgeting.

Mr. Smith became Chief Financial Officer of SSM Health in November 2023. An experienced finance leader with a strong track record of operational excellence and strategic transformation, he served in Chief Financial Officer roles at health systems in Maryland and Pennsylvania. He also has national health care experience as a divisional CFO at Universal Health Services.

Mr. Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing from Drexel University and a master’s degree specializing in finance and real estate through the Harvard University Extension School. He serves on the boards of Civica and Surround Care. Becker’s Hospital Review named him to its 2025 list of “Hospital and Health System CFOs to Know.”

Chris Thornock serves as Chief Medical Group Operations Officer for SSM Health, where he oversees medical group operations across Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin.

With more than 30 years of healthcare leadership, Mr. Thornock has worked extensively with physicians and clinicians and brings deep knowledge of group practice operations, finance, and management. His background also includes leadership oversight of post-acute services, including home health, hospice, durable medical equipment, and long-term care. Most recently, he served as President of Post-Acute Care at SSM Health.

Mr. Thornock has led complex operational initiatives focused on continuous improvement, financial performance, and operational efficiency. His responsibilities have included financial management, third-party contracting, and physician compensation and payroll. He has successfully developed and implemented physician compensation models, supported ambulatory operations across SSM Health’s medical group, and led development of the medical group’s annual strategic plan.

Prior to joining SSM Health, Mr. Thornock held senior leadership roles at Intermountain Medical Group in Salt Lake City, Utah, including Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Financial Officer.

Mr. Thornock holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Weber State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Utah. He is a Fellow of the Advisory Board Centre.

As SSM Health’s General Counsel, Andy Walkup is responsible for leading and optimizing legal, corporate responsibility and risk services across SSM Health, while also providing assistance on important governance issues and strategic legal matters.

Mr. Walkup, who became General Counsel of SSM Health in January 2025, has many years of experience specializing in legal issues related to health system operations, Catholic health care, hospital and physician transactions, and academic medicine. For nearly 20 years, he has provided expert legal counsel to SSM Health, a fully integrated health care delivery system. He most recently served as Regional General Counsel for the Missouri and Southern Illinois regions.

Mr. Walkup holds a bachelor’s degree from Truman State University, and a Juris Doctor degree and health law certificate from Saint Louis University. He is admitted to the bars of Missouri, Illinois, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

As Chief Nurse Executive of SSM Health, Amy Wilson plays a critical role in ensuring that the health system provides an exceptional, coordinated and patient-centered care experience to everyone it serves. She leads systemwide strategic direction and operations of nursing and clinical services, and has responsibility for SSM Health at Home services – which extends the continuum of care from prevention to post-acute. She also oversees operational continuous improvement, philanthropy, and workforce management.

Dr. Wilson became Chief Nurse Executive of SSM Health in April 2023 and has more than 20 years of leadership experience. She most recently served as System Senior Vice President for the Nursing Center of Excellence and Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations at Ascension. She designed new interdisciplinary care delivery models and led development of fully integrated enterprise-wide patient safety, accreditation and case management programs. She focused on developing the workforce of the future with an emphasis on improving and returning joy to the practice of nursing to improve patient care outcomes.

She previously worked in various leadership roles at Ascension including Chief Operating Officer/Chief Nursing Officer for Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, Florida, and Chief Nursing Officer for the Tennessee Ministry Market – Ascension Saint Thomas.

Prior to joining Ascension, Dr. Wilson served at The Children’s Hospital of Alabama in Birmingham as the Director of Performance Improvement and Accreditation and Director of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the Stem Cell Transplant Unit. Before that, she worked as Director of Quality Improvement for Alabama Psychiatric Services, PC.

Dr. Wilson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the University of Alabama at Huntsville and a Master of Science degree in nursing with an emphasis on quality improvement and outcomes management from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She received her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree with a specialty in healthcare executive leadership from Vanderbilt University.

She has published a number of research and literature articles, as well as being the keynote speaker for several professional organizations. Modern Healthcare magazine named her as one of 2025’s Most Influential Clinical Executives and she was recognized in 2024 by Becker’s Hospital Review as one of their “Hospital and Health System CNOs to Know.”