The Purpose

To enhance well-being of the people and places in our service area so health equity is achievable, and ALL can thrive.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries believes that to improve the wellness of the least served and fully live out its mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God,” it must recognize the inequities inherent in its communities that contribute to poor health outcomes. Health Equity is both the process and goal by which Methodist Healthcare Ministries seeks to carry out that purpose. Health Equity is a framework of thought and action that strives to reduce racial and socio-economic disparities and create fair and just opportunities for every person to reach their full potential for health and life and contribute to that of others.

Working with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Board of Directors approved a framework adapted from IHI’s Pathways to Population Health model. This framework allows the organization to advance health equity by focusing on individual medical, dental, behavioral, social and spiritual health and well-being, while also focusing on community conditions and root causes of health inequity that impact community- wide health and well-being.

Strategic Plan

The 20/20 Vision strategic plan, approved by Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Board of Directors in 2020, builds upon the work the organization has done over the past 25 years. This allows the organization to look at new and innovative ways of achieving its overall goals of impacting community-level conditions with a focus on the social determinants of health.

Community Benefit

In 1955, the Southwest Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church chartered the Southwest Texas Methodist Hospital; it opened in 1963. Its purpose was to deliver and promote improved health care as well as enhance access to health care, with particular concern to those least served. From this charter and that first hospital, Methodist Healthcare System was formed in 1995 and today is the largest healthcare provider in South Texas. Since 1995, in partnership with HCA Healthcare, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. has retained one-half ownership of the Methodist Healthcare System and provides the local governance to ensure that the needs of the greater community are served.

Methodist Healthcare’s mission statement of ‘Serving Humanity to Honor God’ defines their ultimate purpose, and that goes far beyond just services and facilities. Methodist Healthcare treats the medically underserved of the greater San Antonio community in a number of ways, including providing care at their 13 hospitals and 11 freestanding Emergency Centers to everyone, regardless of ability to pay, and through the direct support of more than 30 non-profit health and human services agencies serving the community. As the city’s second largest private employer, Methodist Healthcare is able to make a significant impact in the community beyond their 84 health care facilities and caregivers.

The Work

Impact

In 2024, MHM invested $181 million to advance health equity and strengthen communities across its 74-county service area. That amount includes direct services, community investments, the development of community partnerships and advocacy initiatives that create a more level playing field for individuals to thrive. The organization’s commitment represents an increase of 21% from its 2023 investment.

That $181 million propels a strategic focus on advancing health equity, the framework of thought and action guiding the organization’s efforts to address systemic inequities and socio-economic barriers that keep people from living their healthiest lives.

Since inception, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has provided more than $1.85 billion in health care services through its clinical programs, as well as through partnerships, and is one of the largest private funding sources for community health care to low-income families and the uninsured in South Texas.

Broadening the Definition of Health Care

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas believes that caring for health means caring for the needs of the whole person – body, mind, and spirit. In addition to providing clinical care for the uninsured and economically disadvantaged, MHM is committed to broadening the definition of health care to include championing healthier neighborhoods, supportive relationships, broadband access, food security, and financial stability to strengthen families and communities. By using the earnings received as 50-50 co-owner of the Methodist Healthcare System, MHM is able to fund community-led efforts and promote public policy changes that advance more fair and just opportunities for healthy living, now and for future generations. 

Methodist Healthcare Ministries owns and operates two primary care clinics in San Antonio – Wesley Health & Wellness Center and Dixon Health & Wellness Center, in addition to one George Ricks School Based Health Center in Guadalupe County. The clinics address the medical, dental, and behavioral health needs for the uninsured. Services are provided on a sliding fee scale based upon ability to pay, household income and family size. Across the area’s 74 counties, MHM operates a variety of free or low-cost community-based programs and services that support underserved individuals in improving the health of their body, mind and spirit. All services are centered around each patient seeking relief from physical conditions or healing from emotional or spiritual trauma. Using evidence-based practices, MHM offers each patient integrated, personalized wellness services that allow and support each person to thrive. 

MHM’s community health ministry’s include Community Health Workers, the Wesley Nurse Program which spans 80 sites throughout South Texas, Parenting programs, a Community Counseling program, the Get FIT (Families in Training) program, the Prosperemos Juntos / Thriving Together (PJTT) program, Recreation & Enrichment program, Community Connectors, and the Bridge of Blessings platform. 

Public Policy and Advocacy

Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ public policy agenda and advocacy efforts are aligned with the Social Principles of The United Methodist Church and focus on educating the public about the impact of health policies on communities, fostering partnerships with relevant stakeholders, and championing policies that promote the health and well-being of families and communities.

Grant-Making / Community Investment

Methodist Healthcare Ministries is proud to partner with organizations that share its mission, and that are successfully delivering health care and social services to the populations in their respective communities throughout South Texas. Since its inception, MHM has invested more than $500 million in grants within their 74-county service-area. With the priority of promoting access to clinical care in underserved communities, MHM is also focused on recognizing and addressing the root causes of poor health outcomes to achieve health equity.

MHM’s goal is to help create and sustain healthy communities by supporting organizations that address community conditions, otherwise known as the Social Determinants of Health (SDoH). Methodist Healthcare Ministries is interested in learning how organizations are addressing SDoH in general and have a special focus on several key intersecting issues: economic mobility, digital inclusion and broadband infrastructure, and food security.

Purpose of the Position

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas is a senior executive and member of the Executive Leadership Team responsible for ensuring the effective execution of the organization’s mission, strategy, and operational priorities. Reporting to the President and Chief Executive Officer, the COO provides enterprise‑wide operational leadership across key service, investment, and advocacy functions, including Integrated Health, Community Health and Wellness, and Community Investments. The role serves as a central integrator, aligning people, processes, and resources to drive consistency, accountability, and measurable impact across a complex, matrixed organization operating at scale throughout South Texas.

Direct reports to the COO include:

 Medical Director of Behavioral Health Services

 Medical Director of Complex Care

 Medical Director of Oral Health Services

 Medical Director of Primary Care

 Vice President of Integrated Health

 Vice President of Community Investments

 Vice President of Community Health and Wellness

The COO plays a critical leadership role in translating strategic vision into disciplined execution, strengthening organizational systems, and supporting sustainable growth and adaptability. In close partnership with the CEO, fellow Chief Officers, and the Board of Directors, the COO helps guide operational decision‑making, performance management, and cross‑functional collaboration to ensure the organization delivers high‑quality outcomes while remaining fiscally responsible and mission‑aligned. Equally important, the COO fosters a culture of trust, psychological safety, and continuous improvement, enabling leaders and teams to work effectively across diverse programs and communities. Through steady leadership and operational excellence, the COO ensures Methodist Healthcare Ministries is positioned to advance health equity and improve wellness for the least served, today and into the future.

Key Responsibilities

Executive Team Partnership:

 Serve as a strategic thought partner in executive decision-making, enterprise planning, and organizational performance.

 Drive alignment across Chief Officers to ensure coordinated execution of organizational priorities.

 Support Board reporting and committee engagement as requested by the CEO.

Enterprise Effectiveness & Operating Model

 Act as the enterprise integrator, aligning strategy, structure, decision rights, and operating norms across a complex, matrixed organization.

 Translate enterprise strategy into a clear operating rhythm with defined priorities, ownership, and cadence.

 Establish disciplined execution practices that reinforce accountability, follow through, and cross functional collaboration.

 Reduce fragmentation by clarifying roles, decision pathways, and interfaces across functions.

Direct Operational Oversight:

 Provide executive leadership and oversight for Integrated Health, Community Health and Wellness, and Community Investments.

 Partner with functional leaders to improve operational effectiveness, service quality, and consistency of outcomes.

 Ensure operational systems, processes, and performance measures support mission delivery at scale.

Financial and Administrative Collaboration:

 Partner with the Chief Officers on budget performance, resource allocation, forecasting, and operational sustainability.

 Partner with the Chief Officers on people operations, administrative systems, compliance processes, and internal infrastructure.

 Ensure operational decisions are aligned with financial stewardship and administrative capacity.

Strategic Execution:

 Translate strategic plans into implementation roadmaps, milestones, and measurable outcomes.

 Monitor enterprise KPIs and report progress to executive leadership.

 Drive continuous improvement and organizational agility.

Stewardship of Scale, Sustainability, and Risk

 Frame enterprise risks, trade-offs, and sequencing decisions to support effective CEO and Board oversight.

 Protect institutional credibility and community trust while advancing mission impact.

 Balance near term execution demands with long term organizational health and resilience.

Quality, Compliance & Risk:

 Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, accreditation standards, and internal policies.

 Promote a culture of safety, ethics, transparency, and continuous learning.

 Partner with clinical and program leaders to improve quality outcomes and stakeholder satisfaction.

Leadership:

 Oversees senior leaders responsible for Integrated Healthcare Operations, Community Health and Wellness Operations, and Community Investments.

 Builds collaborative, high-performing leadership teams by promoting transparency, mutual accountability, and shared decision-making across functions.

 Fosters a trust-based leadership culture grounded in psychological safety, where leaders feel empowered to speak openly, challenge ideas respectfully, and share concerns without fear of retaliation.

 Collaborates with fellow Chief Officers to cultivate a high-trust executive culture grounded in transparency, psychological safety, and shared accountability.

The Candidate

Experience and Professional Qualifications

 Candidates are required to have a minimum of 10 years of progressive senior level managerial experience with a minimum of 5 years of senior operational leadership experience in healthcare, nonprofit, human services, or similarly complex mission-driven organizations. 

 Proven experience leading multi-disciplinary teams through growth, transformation, or scale. 

 Experience working with governing boards and board committees. 

Skills and Competencies

 Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with employees, executives, physicians/providers, community leaders, regulators, and board members. 

 Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. 

 Demonstrated experience making effective presentations to Board and Board Committees. 

 Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation communication skills. 

 Skilled facilitator capable of building alignment among diverse stakeholders.

Education

A Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership, or related field is required. A Master’s degree is preferred. 

Degree(s) must be obtained through accredited institutions. Education is verified.

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Korn Ferry shall provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified candidates, and will refer candidates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected basis. Artificial Intelligence tools may be used in connection with the recruitment process for this position.