Karen D. Johnson
BLACK JACK
Summary
Transformational healthcare executive with 30+ years of experience driving operational excellence, clinical innovation, and organizational growth in diverse hospital settings. Recognized for launching new hospitals, exceeding operational benchmarks, and championing cultures of excellence and equity. Proven track record in strategic planning, quality improvement, regulatory compliance, and cross-functional leadership.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Chief Executive Officer
Homer G. Phillips Memorial Hospital
St. Louis
08.2024 - 02.2025
- Company Overview: A 3-bed acute care hospital with 24-hour emergency services.
- Led strategic vision, operations, and financial stewardship; reported to the Board of Directors.
- Built a top-performing leadership team and fostered a culture of accountability.
- Strengthened community partnerships to expand services and visibility.
- Drove compliance and safety initiatives to meet regulatory standards.
- Increased the hospital's average daily patient visits by 80% within the first six months.
Chief Operating Officer / Chief Nursing Officer
Homer G. Phillips Memorial Hospital
St. Louis
10.2022 - 08.2024
- Company Overview: A 3-bed acute care hospital with 24-hour emergency services.
- Directed successful launch of startup hospital.
- Recruited and onboarded over 80 staff, achieving a 92% retention rate in year one.
- Maintained ER wait times consistently under 30 minutes through the implementation of a lean triage workflow.
- Exceeded projected volumes for imaging services and emergency visits, contributing to the early success of hospital operations.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams for operational readiness across IT, supply chain, and clinical equipment.
- Negotiated vendor contracts and procurement agreements to support startup operations.
- Promoted hospital services through strategic collaboration with community leaders.
- Developed and implemented nursing care delivery models, policies, and staffing plans aligned with regulatory standards.
Manager, Mother Baby & Lactation Services
Missouri Baptist Medical Center – BJC Healthcare
St. Louis
07.2019 - 10.2022
- Company Overview: 489-bed acute-care hospital with comprehensive services.
- Oversaw 90 FTEs; led department strategy, quality improvement, and regulatory readiness.
- Developed bedside shift report, enhancing communication and patient involvement.
- Increased patient satisfaction scores by 22% in the nurse communication category.
- Served on the BJC Workforce Diversity Planning Team.
- Trained staff RNs in lactation support, resulting in a 20% increase in exclusive breastfeeding rates.
Program Manager, Women & Infants Services
Missouri Baptist Medical Center – BJC Healthcare
St. Louis
03.2017 - 07.2019
- Company Overview: 489-bed acute-care hospital with comprehensive services
- Led 195 FTEs across multiple units, including NICU, LDR, and Postpartum.
- Implemented tracking systems, reducing procedure delays from 12% to 2%.
- Implemented inclusive training to elevate team culture, and enhance the quality of care.
- Reduced NICU length of stay by 1.5 days through process redesign.
Interim Director, Women & Infants Services
Missouri Baptist Medical Center – BJC Healthcare
St. Louis
05.2016 - 03.2017
- Company Overview: 489-bed acute-care hospital with comprehensive services
- Directed strategic growth and daily operations for approximately 250 FTEs.
- Introduced new services, restructured leadership, and improved team engagement.
- Achieved a 15% improvement in RN engagement survey results.
Manager, Mother Baby & NICU
Missouri Baptist Medical Center – BJC Healthcare
St. Louis
11.2014 - 05.2016
- Company Overview: 489-bed acute-care hospital with comprehensive services
- Managed 130+ staff and department budgets; led strategic and quality initiatives.
- Optimized staffing using national guidelines, and addressed productivity variances.
Manager, Women’s Services
Progress West Hospital – BJC Healthcare
O'Fallon
01.2006 - 01.2014
- Company Overview: A 72-bed hospital offering full OB, surgical, and inpatient services.
- Instrumental in opening the hospital. Led nursing recruitment and met the deadline for opening.
- Recruited and retained 100% of the staff during the first year.
- Maintained 80%+ patient satisfaction scores via Press Ganey for eight consecutive years.
- Increased annual delivery volume by 25% through community outreach.
- Consolidated two OB service lines into a unified, countywide OB program.
Assistant Nurse Manager, Labor & Delivery
Missouri Baptist Medical Center – BJC Healthcare
St. Louis
01.2002 - 01.2006
- Company Overview: 489-bed acute-care hospital with comprehensive services
- Coordinated clinical operations and provided performance coaching for staff.
- Reduced C-section rate by 12% through clinical pathway alignment.
- 489-bed acute-care hospital with comprehensive services
Charge Nurse / Staff Nurse, Labor & Delivery
Missouri Baptist Medical Center – BJC Healthcare
St. Louis
01.1998 - 01.2002
- Company Overview: 489-bed acute-care hospital with comprehensive services
- Delivered comprehensive bedside care and supervised nursing teams.
- 489-bed acute-care hospital with comprehensive services
RN, Telemetry / PTCA Unit
Missouri Baptist Medical Center – BJC Healthcare
St. Louis
01.1990 - 01.1998
- Company Overview: 489-bed acute-care hospital with comprehensive services
- Provided direct nursing care, coordinated plans of care, and supported patient recovery.
- 489-bed acute-care hospital with comprehensive services
Education
Master of Business Administration -
Webster University
St. Louis, MO05-2016
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS05-1990
Skills
- Hospital operations
- Strategic planning
- Clinical Integration
- Staff Development
- Regulatory compliance
- Quality Improvement
- Financial Management
- Patient Experience
- Change Management
Affiliations
- American College of Healthcare Executives, Member
- LIV Recovery Center, Board Member, 2024-Present
- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Member
- St. Charles City-County Library Foundation, Board Member, 2012-2014
Certification
- Registered Nurse, Missouri, #117784
- Nurse Executive – Board Certified, NE-BC
Timeline
Chief Executive Officer
Homer G. Phillips Memorial Hospital
08.2024 - 02.2025
Chief Operating Officer / Chief Nursing Officer
Homer G. Phillips Memorial Hospital
10.2022 - 08.2024
Manager, Mother Baby & Lactation Services
Missouri Baptist Medical Center – BJC Healthcare
07.2019 - 10.2022
Program Manager, Women & Infants Services
Missouri Baptist Medical Center – BJC Healthcare
03.2017 - 07.2019
Interim Director, Women & Infants Services
Missouri Baptist Medical Center – BJC Healthcare
05.2016 - 03.2017
Manager, Mother Baby & NICU
Missouri Baptist Medical Center – BJC Healthcare
11.2014 - 05.2016
Manager, Women’s Services
Progress West Hospital – BJC Healthcare
01.2006 - 01.2014
Assistant Nurse Manager, Labor & Delivery
Missouri Baptist Medical Center – BJC Healthcare
01.2002 - 01.2006
Charge Nurse / Staff Nurse, Labor & Delivery
Missouri Baptist Medical Center – BJC Healthcare
01.1998 - 01.2002
RN, Telemetry / PTCA Unit
Missouri Baptist Medical Center – BJC Healthcare
01.1990 - 01.1998
Master of Business Administration -
Webster University
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Kansas
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