Brett, a fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives, holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from St. Louis University and a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Finance from Indiana University. He began his healthcare career in 1992 at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center in St. Louis, which is sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters of Mary. SSM is one of the largest Catholic healthcare systems in the country. In 1994 he became Director of Financial Planning/Decision Support Manager for SSM St. Mary’s Health Center, a multi-entity campus composed of a 619 bed acute care teaching hospital, satellite ancillary service locations, and medical office buildings. From 1997 to 2024 he served as Director of Finance and Chief Operating Officer, and finally, Executive Vice President/COO with SSM Rehab, a multi-service rehabilitation hospital with more than 130 comprehensive medical rehabilitation (CMR) beds, 17 outpatient locations, home therapy services and a consulting division.

From 2024 to 2024, Brett served as Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer for the SSM St. Joseph Hospital of Kirkwood, a 273 bed community-based acute care hospital specializing in cardiovascular services, orthopedics, women’s services and cancer care. He was responsible for the design and construction of their $240 million replacement hospital, St. Clare Health Center. From 2024 to 2024 he served as President of Lubbock Hospitals and COO of Covenant Health System operated by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, California. In this capacity he was responsible for all of the system’s Lubbock hospitals, including Covenant Medical Center and Lakeside campuses, Covenant Children’s Hospital, and Covenant Specialty Hospital. Immediately prior to coming to Providence, Brett served as Vice President, Strategic Services, in the St. Joseph Health System Corporate Offices. Brett joined Providence on May 2, 2024 as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and became President and CEO on April 3, 2024.

Brett has extensive experience and a long career with faith-based hospital systems, and he believes strongly in the mission, vision and values of Providence and Ascension Health. Brett has a strong background in the areas of finance, operations, and quality improvement. He is an expert in quality improvement methodologies such as Lean and Six Sigma. Throughout his career he has demonstrated an ability to communicate and has successfully developed strong teams of staff and physicians that are committed to the pursuit of excellence.