KC Reporter

BJC Health System has announced the retirement of CEO Rich Liekweg, effective October 1, 2025. Liekweg's career in healthcare spans nearly four decades, with the last 16 years dedicated to BJC Health System based in St. Louis, Missouri.

“It has been an honor to serve and lead our team members these past 16 years as they deliver exceptional care to our patients and communities,” said Liekweg. He emphasized the organization's commitment to improving community health and well-being.

Liekweg joined BJC in 2009 as president of Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital. He advanced through various leadership roles before becoming CEO in 2018. Under his leadership, BJC has become one of the largest nonprofit academic health systems in the United States, employing 47,000 caregivers who serve over a million patients annually across multiple states.

During his tenure, BJC extended its affiliation with Washington University and integrated Saint Luke’s Health System of Kansas City into its network. Additionally, an agreement was reached between CoxHealth in Springfield and St. Louis Children’s Hospital to expand pediatric care throughout Southwest Missouri.

“Rich’s impact on BJC and on health care as a whole has been nothing short of remarkable,” stated Greg Bentz, Chair of the BJC Health System board of directors.

Nick Barto will succeed Liekweg as president and CEO on October 1. “Nick’s 30-plus years of health care and operations experience – including many leading complex, integrated health care systems – make him uniquely qualified to lead BJC through this next chapter," Bentz added.

Barto joined BJC in 2018 as chief financial officer and became president in 2023. He expressed his commitment to continuing Liekweg's vision for BJC: “I am honored to be selected to succeed Rich Liekweg as BJC Health System’s President and CEO.”

BJC Health System is a major academic healthcare organization headquartered in St. Louis, serving regions across Missouri, southern Illinois, and eastern Kansas with significant annual community investments.