Ascension Texas names new leadership for Ascension Seton Hays

Ascension Texas announced new leaders at Ascension Seton Hays. Joan Ross has accepted the role of President, and Luke Miller has accepted the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Ascension Seton Hays. In their roles, Joan and Luke provide leadership for overall operations and financial stewardship of the hospital. Joan provides oversight of operational effectiveness and performance and strategic growth, including continued development of key programs such as cardiovascular care, trauma, women’s services and neurosciences. Luke will be responsible for key programs such as cardiovascular care, neurosciences, and trauma services.

Joan Ross named President of Ascension Seton Hays

Joan joined the Ascension Seton family in July 2020 as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Ascension Seton Hays. During her operational leadership, the hospital successfully expanded operating room (OR), cath lab and electrophysiology (EP) lab services, and helped the team achieve a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 5 Star rating and Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) 3 star rating in 2022.

“I am thrilled to be named President of Ascension Seton Hays,” said Joan. “I joined Ascension Seton during the height of the pandemic, and have had the privilege to help our team and patients navigate a difficult time, while also facilitating expansions at the hospital to accommodate the growing community we serve.”

Joan has more than thirty-seven years of experience in leadership within healthcare operations, clinical programs, talent management and quality improvement in national organizations. Prior to joining Ascension Seton, Joan served as the Executive Vice President/COO for St. Mary Medical Center - a member of The Trinity Health System, St. Vincent Charity Medical Center and Bon Secours Health System. She received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio and her Master's of Science in Management from Troy State University.

Luke Miller named COO of Ascension Seton Hays

With more than a decade of experience, Luke began his career by completing a pharmacy residency at UF Health Jacksonville. He joined the Ascension Florida Market in 2015 before transitioning to Ascension Texas in 2017. He has served Ascension Texas in the role of Director of Pharmacy, Director of Operations, and Interim Chief Operating Officer for Ascension Seton Hays.

“I am pleased to accept the role of COO at Ascension Seton Hays,” said Luke. “My previous roles at the hospital have provided me with great insight into the needs of our patients and staff, and I look forward to working closely with Joan to achieve growth, success and high quality patient care at Ascension Seton Hays.”

In his professional roles, Luke has led capital and strategic planning, clinical and support services operations, built strong medical staff partnerships, and been instrumental in pursuit of CMS Five-Star and Leapfrog A Hospital Safety Grade.

Luke received his Doctorate of Pharmacy from the University of Pittsburgh and his Master’s of Business Administration from LSU Shreveport. He is involved in numerous professional organizations such as the American College of Healthcare Executives and the American Society of Health System Pharmacists.

About Ascension Texas

In Texas, Ascension operates Ascension Providence in Waco and Ascension Seton, which includes Dell Children’s Medical Center, the region’s only comprehensive children’s hospital and pediatric Level I trauma center, and Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas, the region’s only Level I trauma center for adults. Ascension Seton partners with Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin and shares a common vision of transforming healthcare through a focus on quality and value. Serving Texas for more than 120 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is one of the leading non-profit and Catholic health systems in the U.S., operating 2,600 sites of care – including 139 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org and ascension.org/dellchildrens.