SSM Health Care: Howard to Lead St. Louis System

The regional vice president of SSM Health Care's Oklahoma system is expected to take over as chief executive of the organization's St. Louis operations, the company announced in a news release. SSM  in  is among the company's St. Louis-area hospitals. 

Chris Howard, 47, of SSM Health Care of Oklahoma will become president- and chief executive-designate at SSM Health Care-St. Louis on Sept. 4. He will succeed  at the end of December. 

“Chris’s talents will serve SSM Health Care-St. Louis well in the coming years,” SSM Health Care President Bill Thompson stated in the release. “He is committed to exceptional patient care, and his ability to forge creative relationships with physicians is exactly the kind of leadership that will benefit patients.”

Howard specializes in physician relations and has been with SSM Health Care for 17 years, the release states. He previously worked for Oklahoma City-based companies Healthcare Systems of Oklahoma and Oklahoma Healthcare Corporation Baptist Medical Center. 

He holds master's degrees in organizational communication and health administration.