Chris Watts named president of Barnes-Jewish St. Peters and Progress West Hospitals
(ST. LOUIS, Sept. 22, 2016) – Chris Watts has been named president of Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital and Progress West Hospital, effective in early November. Watts joined BJC HealthCare in 2005 and has excelled in a variety of leadership roles at the health care organization over the past decade.
As president of Barnes-Jewish St. Peters and Progress West hospitals, Watts will provide oversight for the two facilities and will guide the long-term strategic plan for both hospitals in serving the health care needs of residents of St. Charles County and surrounding communities.
“We are pleased to have Chris serve as the next president of Barnes-Jewish St. Peters and Progress West hospitals,” says Lee Fetter, BJC group president. “Chris has spent the majority of his career with BJC HealthCare and has demonstrated outstanding leadership in several diverse roles. With his strong background in program planning and past operational experience, Chris is well-positioned for this new executive role.”
Watts currently serves as vice president of planning and construction for BJC HealthCare, managing BJC’s capital planning process and budget, along with all active construction projects across BJC’s clinical and administrative services. His previous roles at BJC include BJC vice president of capital and program planning, Barnes-Jewish Hospital director of ambulatory services and Barnes-Jewish Hospital associate administrator. Prior to BJC, Watts was a project specialist at Centene Corporation.
“I’m looking forward to joining the Barnes-Jewish St. Peters and Progress West team, and becoming active in the St. Charles County community,” says Watts. “I’ve had the privilege of working closely with the leaders of these two hospitals over the years and I know I’m joining a team that
is focused on providing exceptional care to patients, family members and the St. Charles community.”
Watts holds a master’s degree in health administration from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and a bachelor’s degree in health care administration from Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo. He is a graduate of the 2013 Leadership Program of FOCUS St. Louis.