Saint Luke’s leaders named to Becker’s Hospital Review listing

Two Saint Luke’s Health System executives are included on the Becker’s Hospital Review “130 Women Hospital and Health System Leaders to Know” list.

Melinda L. Estes, M.D., MBA, president and CEO of Saint Luke’s Health System, and Jani Johnson, R.N., MSN, president and CEO of Saint Luke’s South Hospital, were named to the list. 

The 130 women demonstrate outstanding leadership within the hospital and health care industry and were chosen based on a wide range of management and leadership skills, including oversight of hospital or health system operations, financial turnarounds, and quality improvement initiatives. Becker’s Hospital Review is a leading source of cutting edge business, legal, and best practice information for hospital and health system leaders. 

Dr.  Estes became president and CEO of Saint Luke’s Health System in September 2011 and is an accomplished leader experienced in clinical and academic medicine, as well as hospital administration. Previously Dr. Estes was president and CEO of Fletcher Allen Health Care, an academic medical center serving Vermont and northern New York, where she effectively guided the health care system back to financial health while expanding services, forging alliances, and implementing an extensive strategic planning process. Prior to that, she served in a leadership position at the Cleveland Clinic Florida in Weston and Naples. As president and CEO of Saint Luke’s Health System, Dr. Estes leads a 10-hospital, faith based, aligned health system committed to the highest levels of excellence.

Jani Johnson became CEO of Saint Luke’s South Hospital in September 2012 following an extensive leadership history with the health system. Her career with Saint Luke’s began in 1985 as a staff nurse at Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute. She was promoted to various management and senior director positions and in 2002 became vice president of the cardiovascular service line for Saint Luke’s Health System and the Heart Institute. Located in Overland Park, Kan., the 125-bed Saint Luke’s South Hospital opened in 1998 and consistently ranks high in patient satisfaction scores. This year, Saint Luke’s South Hospital is ranked #2 in Kansas, #3 in the Kansas City metro area, and is recognized among the Best Hospitals in Northeastern Kansas in U.S. News & World Report’s list of best hospitals.