Jeffrey D. Nowlin, FACHE, has accepted the role of Senior Vice President, Ascension, and Oklahoma Ministry Market Executive. In this role, he will provide strategic and operational leadership while promoting alignment among health ministries within Ascension Oklahoma and with the Ascension System Office. His new role is effective April 29, 2019.
Jeff has been President of Ascension St. John Medical Center in Tulsa since November 2012 and has proven to be a trusted, Mission-focused servant leader, said Karen Springer, Executive Vice President, Healthcare Operations, Ascension.
“I want to thank Bill Weeks, Ascension St. John Chief Operating Officer, for his willingness to lead Ascension Oklahoma for the past few months as we evaluated candidates for the position of Ministry Market Executive,” she said. “His virtuous servant leadership enabled us to continue to serve the Oklahoma community and ensure the sustainability of our Mission there.”
During Jeff’s time leading Ascension St. John, the associates and physicians have reduced hospital-acquired infections and increased patient satisfaction scores while achieving and maintaining productivity targets in over 80% of all departments. He has overseen the development of a Patient Logistics Center that has resulted in tremendous growth in the number of patients served. In addition, he has guided the development of new partnerships, programs and service line initiatives in support of Ascension’s Mission.
During his tenure, St. John was named the No. 1 hospital in Oklahoma by U.S. News & World Report and achieved high marks from The Joint Commission, the American College of Surgeons, and the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients for St. John’s stroke, trauma, and kidney transplant service lines.
Before joining Ascension, Jeff served in various leadership roles with Gwinnet Health System in Georgia; Memorial Hermann Healthcare System in Houston; a private financial planning firm in Tulsa; and Hillcrest HealthCare System in Tulsa.
He earned a Master of Health Administration degree from Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Baylor University, Waco, Texas. He serves on several nonprofit boards and councils in Tulsa, including the Oklahoma Hospital Association Board of Trustees and the Tulsa Hospital Council. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and is a member of the Ascension Leadership Academy.
