Liekweg Recognized For Visionary Leadership

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Richard J. Liekweg, President and CEO of BJC HealthCare in St. Louis, was honored with the Missouri Hospital Association’s Visionary Leadership Award for his work in supporting community health improvement in the St. Louis region. The award was presented during MHA’s 100th Annual Convention.

“Rich’s broad vision for improving health community-wide is rooted in reaching people where health happens — in the places they live, work, learn and play,” said Jon D. Doolittle, MHA President and CEO. “He is committed to using the health system as a resource to improve health, improve lives and reduce health disparities.”

A video honoring Liekweg, and expanding on the community health improvement plan, is available here.  

Under Liekweg’s leadership, the BJC HealthCare system is leveraging its power as an anchor institution to help deliver resources to established community-based partnerships. His vision — build on community partnerships — already is helping to deliver fresh and healthy food to individuals with diabetes, as well as to improve health and wellness for mothers and infants, and within schools.

Liekweg joined BJC HealthCare in 2009 as President of Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Group President for BJC HealthCare. He served as Executive Vice President and, subsequently, President of BJC between 2015 and when he was selected as President and CEO in January 2018. Before joining BJC, Liekweg served from 2003 to 2009 as CEO and as Associate Vice Chancellor for the University of California, San Diego Medical Center. He also served for 16 years at Duke University Health System. He serves on several professional and community boards, including Vizient, Washington University, Missouri Hospital Association, Cortex, St. Louis Regional Health Commission, Greater St. Louis, Inc., BioSTL and Forest Park Forever.

Liekweg earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and master’s degrees in health services administration and business administration, both from the University of Michigan.

The Missouri Hospital Association is a not-for-profit association in Jefferson City that represents 140 Missouri hospitals. In addition to representation and advocacy on behalf of its membership, the association offers continuing education programs on current health care topics and seeks to educate the public about health care issues.

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Note: A photo of Liekweg and a video honoring his leadership are available.

Photo cutline: Todd Ahrens (Left), President and CEO of Hannibal Regional Healthcare System, presents a 2022 Visionary Leadership Award to Richard J. Liekweg (Right), President and CEO of BJC HealthCare in St. Louis.