Lead. Empower. Transform.
SSM Health helps develop physician leaders who can shape the future of care. 

In today’s evolving health care landscape, leadership is no longer defined solely by clinical expertise. It’s about creating a vision, guiding teams through change and sustaining a culture rooted in compassion. At SSM Health, we’re committed to developing physician leaders from within our Ministries, so they can help shape the future of care.

“At the end of the day, it’s about the teams — and the empowerment and the trust that you build with them,” says Dr. Amir Jaffer, regional chief medical officer for SSM Health’s Saint Louis region. That belief, he explains, is what inspired him to help the system create a physician leadership development program in collaboration with the University of Missouri–St. Louis. This first-of-its-kind program is designed to give emerging physician leaders the tools needed to successfully navigate today’s complex health care landscape and guide clinical teams toward a more certain future.

Building Leaders from Within

The program, now in full swing, was created in direct response to what SSM Health physicians said they needed most. “Our physicians were longing for a leadership development program that would teach them about leading teams, emotional intelligence, financial management, value-based care, digital health care, quality and safety, and change management — all things that aren’t adequately covered in medical school curriculums or residency training,” says Dr. Jaffer.

To bring this program to life, SSM Health partnered with the University of Missouri–St. Louis to create an immersive curriculum that is taught jointly by university professors and SSM Health executives, ensuring every topic is grounded in real-world application. In addition to academic classwork, students get paired with a clinical leader or an executive mentor who can show them how to effectively transform leadership theories into real-world practice.

Using this model, made popular by Harvard Business School, we’ve created a program that weaves SSM Health’s culture and values into robust academic disciplines and a functional business education. This program is designed not just to teach but to transform clinicians to become servant leaders who can lead with their heads and their hearts.

“Our physicians are no longer just caregivers; they can be powerful change agents,” says Dr. Jaffer. “We want to give them the tools, mentorship and support to lead more effectively — balancing compassion and values with operational discipline.”

Empowering Growth and Purpose

For Dr. Jamie Petzke, a family medicine physician and hospitalist at SSM Health St. Clare Hospital in Baraboo, Wisconsin, professional development opportunities have been pivotal to her career growth.

“I appreciate that there are avenues for advancement within the SSM Health system,” she says. “I participated in the Foundations of Leadership course series, which allowed me to connect with physicians, pharmacists and administrators at all levels.”

The course gave Petzke and her peers hands-on experience in using the SSM Health operating model to identify opportunities for improvement. “We focused on a project that could help our teams adapt and continue to move forward,” she explains.

That sense of connection and shared progress, she says, extends beyond the classroom. “We’re all from different walks of life, but every day, we come together to focus on community growth, patient growth and the well-being of those around us.”

Leading with Vision

For Dr. Stephanie Duggan, chief clinical officer for SSM Health, cultivating physician leadership goes hand in hand with advancing the organization’s mission of delivering value-based care — a model that emphasizes clinical coordination to prevent illness and promote long-term wellness for patients.

“I love value-based care because it means we’re doing our job for those in the communities we serve,” she says. “When we think about value-based care, it’s about being there for patients every time they need care.”

By developing leaders who understand not only how to deliver exceptional care but also why systems must evolve, SSM Health is positioning its physicians to guide change from within by aligning clinical excellence with operational insight.

“We want leaders who understand the why,” adds Dr. Jaffer. “When leaders can explain to their teams why certain things are being done, that clarity strengthens trust and drives sustainable improvement.”

A Ripple Effect That Reaches Patients

The impact of leadership development extends far beyond classroom, clinic or hospital walls. Physician leaders have the ability to develop stronger teams, foster innovation and ultimately enhance patient outcomes. Our investment in clinical leadership creates a ripple effect that can be felt and experienced across our healing Ministries in every connection, conversation and decision.

As SSM Health continues to pioneer programs that empower its physicians, its commitment remains rooted in the same values that have guided the system for generations: compassion, respect, excellence, stewardship and community.

“My hope,” says Dr. Jaffer, “is that these leaders not only connect deeply with our patients but also understand the purpose behind every change we make and carry that purpose forward.”

For clinicians at SSM Health, leadership isn’t a title carried by a few — it’s a mindset that begins with presence, grows through purpose and transforms care for all.

Together — We Care.

Learn more about physician careers and leadership opportunities at JoinSSMHealth.com.