Don King has accepted the role of Senior Vice President, Ascension, and Kansas Ministry Market Executive. In this role, he will provide strategic and operational leadership while promoting alignment among health ministries within Ascension Kansas and with the Ascension System Office. His new role is effective April 15.
“Don has been a trusted, Mission-focused leader within Ascension for the past eight years,” said Karen Springer, Executive Vice President, Healthcare Operations, Ascension. He most recently served as Chief Operating Officer for Ascension Alabama.
While serving in Alabama, Don led efforts to address community social determinants through participation in statewide opioid and behavioral health initiatives as well as improved quality measures of sepsis, heart failure and pneumonia. Associate experience scores increased to the top 10 percent in Ascension under his leadership.
Prior to his time in Ascension Alabama, Don served in Ascension Tennessee – first as Chief Operating Officer of Saint Thomas West Hospital and then as Chief Operating Officer of Saint Thomas West and Midtown Hospitals. Two years later, Don assumed the role of President/Chief Executive Officer of the multi-campus, multi-hospital enterprise.
Before Don was called to Ascension, he was Chief Operating Officer at Hospital Corporation of America, where he was the Chief Operating Officer of Lee’s Summit Medical Center.
He received both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Loma Linda University. Don is also a graduate of the Ascension Executive Ministry Leadership formation program and is a current participant in the Ascension Leadership Academy. Active in various community organizations, he has served as board member of the American Heart Association of Middle Tennessee, on the Executive Committee of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, as board member for YMCA at Maryland Farms, and board member for Siloam Health. He also received the ACHE Regent’s Award in 2014.
“Don is looking forward to getting to know the associates, leaders and physicians of Ascension Kansas and supporting their work to provide compassionate, personalized care within the Ministry Market and across Ascension,” Karen said.
