SSM Executive Receives Visionary Leadership Award

ST. LOUIS — The Missouri Hospital Association has chosen a St. Louis health care executive as recipient of its 2011 Visionary Leadership Award. James M. Sanger, president and chief executive officer of SSM Health Care – St. Louis, received the prestigious honor from the membership association representing 150 Missouri hospitals at its annual convention Nov. 9-11.

The award recognizes Sanger for his contributions to improving the health of the Greater St. Louis region, which SSM Health Care – St. Louis serves. Specifically, the MHA award acknowledges Sanger for helping build a public/private collaboration that addressed last year’s sudden closing of the short-term acute care psychiatric unit and emergency room at the state-sponsored St. Louis Metropolitan Psychiatric Center.

The St. Louis Regional Health Commission asked Sanger to lead a task force that included SSM Health Care – St. Louis, BJC HealthCare, and the Missouri Department of Mental Health, which resulted in the creation of a regional Psychiatric Stabilization Center to replace these critical community services.

The award also recognized Sanger’s reorganization of SSM Health Care – St. Louis into a cohesive network of seven hospitals, outpatient facilities and physicians’ offices focused on safety, top national patient outcomes and satisfaction and access to quality care. During Sanger’s tenure in his current position, the organization has achieved market share growth, increases in inpatient admissions and patient satisfaction levels and has been recognized with the 2010 Missouri Quality Award. In addition, the network’s adult care hospitals have achieved Premier/QUEST High Performing Hospital honors.

 Sanger has served in leadership positions within SSM Health Care for 14 years. He was appointed to the chief administrative position at SSM Health Care – St. Louis in November 2007.

About SSM Health Care – St. Louis

SSM Health Care – St. Louis’ mission statement — “Through our exceptional health care services, we reveal the healing presence of God” — is embodied by 11,000 employees and 2,500 staff physicians. Sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters of Mary, the health care network offers comprehensive health care services, but specializes in heart, cancer, neurosciences, pediatrics, weight-loss, sleep, imaging, behavioral health, rehab and fetal surgery.

A winner of the Missouri Quality Award and multiple Best Places to Work awards, SSM Health Care – St. Louis includes seven hospitals:

• Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center,
• DePaul Health Center,
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Go to www.ssmhealth.com for more information.