ST. LOUIS--March 8, 2007- SSM Health Care-St. Louis has promoted Debbie Walkenhorst to regional vice president-human resources. Walkenhorst will provide oversight and strategic direction in human resources for the network’s seven St. Louis hospitals.

 Walkenhorst joined SSM Health Care-St. Louis in 2003 and most recently she was the network director-human resources operations where she was responsible for human resources services, compensation, integration and recruiting strategies for the network.

Walkenhorst started in health care in 1980 as a registered nurse. She advanced in her career to become the director of human resources at St. John’s Mercy Health System before joining SSM Health Care-St. Louis. Walkenhorst has a master’s degree in nursing service administration from St. Louis University and serves on the St. Louis Community College Foundation and the St. Louis County Workforce Investment boards.

About SSM Health Care

With seven hospitals, nearly 2,000 staff physicians and more than 10,000 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. The health care network also includes three medical groups: SSM St. Charles Clinic Medical Group, SSM Medical Group and SSM DePaul Medical Group. Its parent organization, SSM Health Care, also based in St. Louis, in 2002 became the first health care recipient of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. The system owns, operates and manages hospitals and nursing homes in four states: Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin and Oklahoma.

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