‘Healthcare is a right, not a privilege’

Laura Kaiser President and CEO SSM Health

Among Kaiser’s accomplishments are leading a strategic plan that resulted in $150 million in savings in 2018, implementing best practices to tackle the opioid crisis and expanding the system’s reach.

“As the leader of a faith-based healthcare system, I remain committed to serving the most vulnerable. I believe that healthcare is a right, not a privilege,” she said.

Kaiser is a founding member of the Women’s Leadership Institute, which promotes leadership and development.

“Throughout my career, diversity and inclusion have been key principles, which includes developing and promoting talented women to leadership roles,” she said. “That focus continues today on a broader scale at SSM Health, where we’ve always strongly valued the benefits of a diverse workforce.”

SSM was positioned as a disruptive force under Kaiser’s leadership by becoming a founding member of provider-owned drug company Civica Rx.

“The industry is being disrupted by new entrants, partnerships and technology. We welcome the new entrants and are actively establishing partnerships, choosing to lean in and lead the change,” she said.