Laura S. Kaiser

Chair of the Board

President & Chief Executive Officer, SSM Health

As President and Chief Executive Officer of SSM Health, Laura S. Kaiser, FACHE, leads a Catholic not-for-profit health system serving communities across the Midwest through a robust and fully integrated health care delivery system. Headquartered in St. Louis, 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. 

Laura joined SSM Health in 2017, bringing 30+ years of experience in health care strategy, improving clinical quality, fueling innovation, managing operational performance and growth, leading change management and successfully facilitating health care integration. 

Laura previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Intermountain Healthcare. She also served at Ascension Health in a number of senior leadership roles, including President/CEO at Sacred Heart Health System. 

She currently serves on several boards, including the American Hospital Association Health System Council, the Catholic Health Association, the Healthcare Leadership Council, Nuance Communications, Embold Health, the Scottsdale Institute and Civic Progress. 

Laura earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Missouri, a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Healthcare Administration from Saint Louis University. She is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, and in 2018 and 2019 was named one of the “100 Most Influential People in Healthcare” by Modern Healthcare magazine.