SSM Health

02/22/2026

When nurses create the evidence, healthcare moves differently.

In the latest episode of Healthcare Disrupted: Bold Leadership for a New Era, Amy Wilson, DNP, RN, CPHQ dives deep with Elizabeth Fritz, PhD, RN, NPDA-BC, EBP-C on the important role of nurse scientist and why their work is essential to advancing practice.

If you're curious about what nurse scientists actually do, considering this path for yourself, or wanting to integrate nurses scientists into your organization...this episode is for you.

Watch here: https://tr.ee/ho80IjpIBk

02/21/2026

What happens when nurses stop waiting for change and start driving it?

The newest episode of Healthcare Disrupted: Bold Leadership for a New Era dives into one of healthcare’s fastest‑emerging roles: the nurse scientist.

SSM Health’s first nurse scientist, Elizabeth Fritz, PhD, RN, NPDA-BC, EBP-C, joins host Amy Wilson, DNP, RN, CPHQ, to explore why this role is gaining momentum and what it means for the future of care.

When nurses step into scientific discovery, healthcare transforms. They:
• Generate evidence through research
• Challenge outdated systems
• Bridge science and frontline practice
• Turn everyday care challenges into measurable solutions

Discover why nurse scientists are reshaping the future of health and why their leadership matters now more than ever.

Listen to the full episode here: https://tr.ee/ho80IjpIBk

02/20/2026

Orville Fisher knows the fear and confusion of a stroke all too well. In the moment his vision blurred and his world shifted, he says, “At first, I was like, ‘What the heck is going on?’ And then my nurse‑brain kicked in and said, ‘You’re having a stroke.’”

Orville says his work as a Stroke Nurse Navigator - leading the SSM Health St. Anthony - Oklahoma City team to cut their treatment time for stroke patients to 34 minutes - gave him complete confidence in the caregivers running his "Code Stroke." Now he uses his first hand experience as a stroke survivor to further improve care and help ease patient fears in the midst of their treatment and recovery.

Our thanks to The Catholic Health Association of the United States' Catholic Health World for sharing Orville's powerful story:
https://www.chausa.org/news-and-publications/publications/catholic-health-world/archives/february-2026/nurses-own-emergency-fine-tunes-care-at-stroke-center-he-steered-to-excellence

02/19/2026

❤️ February is Heart Month — and your heart deserves the best care you can give it.
In this short message, SSM Health interventional cardiologist Dr. Lincoln Shenje reminds us that prevention is always better than cure. His advice is simple, powerful, and something we can all start today:
🥗 Eat well. Healthy food is medicine.
🏃‍♀️ Move more. Regular exercise keeps your heart strong.
💙 Focus on habits, not just the scale. Weight loss is a result of healthy choices — not the primary goal.
Small steps each day can lead to a lifetime of stronger heart health.
Let’s make this Heart Month the start of something good. ❤️
📽️ Watch Dr. Shenje’s message below and take the first step toward protecting your heart today.

02/18/2026

As we begin this sacred season of Lent, we’re invited to pause, to listen, and to return with open hearts.
“If today you hear God’s voice, harden not your hearts.”
— Psalm 95:8
Ash Wednesday reminds us of where we come from, who we belong to, and the grace that continually calls us back. May today be a moment of quiet honesty, renewed intention, and deep hope.
🕊️ May we listen.
🕊️ May we soften.
🕊️ May we begin again.

02/17/2026

During the recent Vizient Healthcare Executive Forum in Scottsdale, Arizona, SSM Health President and CEO Laura Kaiser emphasized that a strong commitment to quality and safety is a key driver of future success for integrated health care delivery systems. She noted that organizations with “an unwavering commitment to exceptional care,” deeply embedded in their culture, leadership behaviors, and daily practices, will be best positioned to thrive and serve their communities.

Kaiser was joined on the panel by Bronson Healthcare President and CEO Bill Manns and Kaufman Hall Managing Director Ken Kaufman.

02/16/2026

🌟 Ever wonder what’s happening just beyond the ice when Olympic‑level skaters compete? 🏅⛸️
Turns out, there’s an amazing medical team right there behind the scenes — like SSM Health sports medicine physician Dr. Jamil Neme and the SSM Health Sports Medicine crew — planning months ahead and staying ready for anything that might happen in those high‑pressure moments.
Take a peek into what that behind‑the‑scenes world really looks like:

SSM Health physicians and athletic trainers played a critical role behind the scenes, providing expert care for elite athletes on the road to the Winter Olympics.

02/15/2026

The St. Mary’s Infirmary in St. Louis, opened by SSM Health's founding sisters in 1933, was a pioneering institution that opened critical pathways for African‑American medical professionals during segregation. Beginning in the 1930s, the infirmary organized training programs that offered African‑American students — especially women — the opportunity to learn X‑ray technology, a program that continued into at least the mid‑1950s.
These efforts helped shape a new generation of skilled Black medical workers and expanded opportunities in fields that had long been inaccessible. Their legacy continues to inspire progress in healthcare equity today. 🖤✨

📷: SSM Health Archives

02/14/2026

💗 Happy Valentine’s Day 💗
On this day of love, we pause with grateful hearts, remembering that love’s true source is God. He teaches us how to love fully, patiently, and without condition.
Today, we celebrate love in all its beautiful forms — the love shared between spouses and partners, the bond of family, the gift of friendship, and the quiet love that carries us through every season. May our love reflect kindness, grace, and compassion, not only today but in the way we live each day.

02/13/2026

❤️ 🎼Love songs were in the air at SSM Health Dean Medical Group - South Madison Campus in Wisconsin today! A patient's husband asked to perform a few songs with his barbershop quartet, the Capitol Chordsmen Chorus, as a thank you for the care his wife has received.
After giving a special performance for the Infusion team, the Capitol Chordsmen stopped by each floor of the clinic to perform two songs - sharing some Valentine's Day cheer with patients, visitors, and staff.
Thank you to these talented singers for sharing their gift with us! 💞Happy Valentine's Day!💞

02/13/2026

We recently received one of the most heartwarming thank‑you notes—and it didn’t come from a patient, but from a patient’s very good boy. 🐾💙
Thor, a Great Dane with an even greater heart, took time out of his busy schedule to thank our nurses for the exceptional care they provided his human during a recent procedure. Our Saints in Action were truly touched by this thoughtful gesture and couldn’t stop smiling.
Sending big hugs to Thor and his family, and a heartfelt thank‑you to our incredible nurses who make moments like this possible every day.
📸 Photo provided with permission.

02/12/2026

Think heart attacks only happen to “other people”? ❤️
That’s one of the biggest myths out there. Taking care of your heart doesn’t have to be complicated: good food and regular movement go a long way. SSM Health interventional cardiologist Dr. Lincoln Shenje explains why listening to your body matters.
What's your risk for heart disease? Find out by taking our short heart health quiz - and talk about the results with your doctor: https://www.ssmhealth.com/access/health-risk-assessments/heart-risk-assessment?hgcrm_channel=organic_social&hgcrm_source=other&hgcrm_agency=client&utm_source=organic&utm_medium=miscellaneous&hgcrm_campaignid=18316&hgcrm_tacticid=32866&hgcrm_trackingsetid=47087