Karen Springer has been named president and CEO of Saint Thomas Health and senior vice president for Ascension Health/Tennessee Ministry Market Executive. Previously, she served as STH’s president and chief operating officer with responsibility for operational success and effectiveness of Saint Thomas Health hospital facilities, physician practices and numerous joint ventures.

Springer was named COO in 2011, joining Saint Thomas Health after serving in the same role at Lutheran Hospital of Indiana for four years. She was named president of STH earlier this year. Prior to that, she held a number of nursing and administrative leadership positions, primarily in Indiana and New Mexico.

She takes the reins from Mike Schatzlein, MD, who has been named senior vice president for Ascension Health/Group Ministry Operating Executive. In this new position, he will be responsible for overall senior leadership of the Tennessee/Indiana Ministry Markets. In addition, he will have oversight, with accountability for operational and financial performance, stewarding quality, strategic growth, and experience and safety outcomes of multiple other Ascension Ministry Markets.