If she could fix anything in the health care industry, Kaiser would work to align the financial system so that payments for preventive care, palliative care, home care, and end-of-life care would cover the cost of service. “Our current U.S. health system is centered on acute care— helping people when they are sick or injured—which is critically important and which we do extremely well,” she says. “However, having all of these areas aligned would better promote well-being and help people live their healthiest lives possible.”
2025 QUESTIONNAIRE
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why? Align the financial system so that payments for preventive care, palliative care, home care and end-of-life care would improve to help cover the cost of these essential services. Our current US health system is centered on acute care – helping people when they are sick or injured – which is critically important, and which we do extremely well. However, having all of these areas aligned would better promote well-being and help people live their healthiest lives possible.
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MENTORS & PEERS
What piece of advice has had the most significant impact on your career? In the words of Mother Odilia Burger, leader of the Franciscan Sisters of Mary more than 150 years ago, ‚”continue courageously.” She and her fellow Sisters landed in St. Louis during a smallpox epidemic, with just $5 and a mission to care for the sickest and poorest among us ‚Äì and those words of encouragement kept them going. They planted the seeds that grew into SSM Health; her watchwords and our mission continue to guide us today.
What is one thing you would change about the St. Louis metro area business environment and why? We must continue to build bridges across historically separate geographies and perspectives; the greater metropolitan area is a jewel, and we will all benefit by working together toward shared solutions.
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
If you were not in your current profession, what would you be doing and why? It would be fun to be a personal trainer, helping individuals to work toward their optimal state of health and well being.
What is one book you think everyone should read (or podcast everyone should listen to) and why? The incredibly well written Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown. It is an amazing, inspiring true story of individual grit, leadership, and teamwork from the 1936 Olympic games.
