ST. LOUIS (April 10, 2008) — SSM Health Care-St. Louis (SSMHC-St. Louis) has named Lynn Lenker, R.N., M.S, O.N.C., as vice president and chief nursing officer for the health care network.

Since 1997, Lenker had been vice president of patient care services at Good Samaritan Regional Health Center in Mt. Vernon, Ill.  Lenker helped plan and implement expansions in Good Samaritan’s Surgical Department, ICU and Emergency Department and served as chair of an SSM Health Care System-wide team developing nursing processes required to implement electronic health record technology.

In her new role, Lenker will focus on quality health care delivery within SSMHC-St. Louis in the areas of patient satisfaction, safety and professional nursing practice.

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About SSM Health Care
With seven hospitals, nearly 2,500 staff physicians and 11,200 employees, SSM Health Care-St. Louis is committed to serving the comprehensive health needs of St. Louis area residents.  Sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters of Mary, the health care network includes: SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center; SSM DePaul Health Center; SSM St. Joseph Health Center (St. Charles); SSM St. Joseph Health Center-Wentzville; SSM St. Joseph Hospital West (Lake Saint Louis); SSM St. Joseph Hospital of Kirkwood; SSM St. Mary's Health Center and SSM Rehab. Its parent organization, SSM Health Care, also based in St. Louis, owns, operates and manages hospitals and nursing homes in four states: Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin and Oklahoma.