Nikki Stafford will also serve as president of the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation
ST. LOUIS (July 13, 2026) – Nikki Stafford joins BJC Health as president of St. Louis Children’s Hospital, effective July 13. She was selected following an extensive national search focused on identifying a leader with strong operational expertise, a proven track record of transformational leadership, and a deep commitment to improving children’s health.
Stafford succeeds Trish Lollo, who was named BJC Health East Region group president in 2025. Lollo has been the President of Children’s since 2019.
“As president, Nikki will lead St. Louis Children’s into its next era of growth and innovation, setting the strategic vision to advance clinical excellence and strengthening our position as a national leader in pediatric care,” said Lollo. “She will also play a key role in supporting the continued growth of St. Louis Children’s at CoxHealth, our joint venture in southwest Missouri, helping expand access to exceptional pediatric care for children and families across the communities we serve. Nikki will continue to foster a warm, welcoming environment where children and their families feel supported, comfortable, and confident in the care they receive.”
Stafford joins BJC from UW Health Kids in Madison, Wisconsin, where she most recently served as president, American Family Children’s Hospital, and system vice president, Pediatric Services, UW Health. Prior to joining UW Health Kids, Stafford held roles at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital-Upstate, Greenville Memorial Hospital, Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation Hospital, Bon Secours St. Francis Health System, and National Neuro, LLC. She received her Master of Science in occupational therapy from Washington University in St. Louis and Master of Business Administration from the University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business. She is board certified in health care management as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, is a Fellow of the Riley Institute through Furman University, a member of the Greenville Chamber’s Leadership-Class 46, and a member of the International Women’s Forum.
“I’m excited to collaborate across BJC and Children’s, both renowned for their commitment to excellence in care and community well-being. By building on this this special culture, we can expand the impact we have on children and families throughout the St. Louis region and beyond,” said Stafford. “Throughout my career, I’ve combined my clinical background with experience in operations, strategy, partnerships, and philanthropy. I’m deeply committed to advancing quality, safety, and the patient experience while strengthening overall organizational performance to best serve our communities.”
In 2025, U.S. News & World Report again recognized St. Louis Children’s Hospital as one of America’s Best Children’s Hospitals, ranking St. Louis Children’s as No. 1 in Missouri, No. 1 in St. Louis, and No. 3 in the Midwest region.
About St. Louis Children's Hospital
St. Louis Children’s Hospital is part of BJC Health, one of the largest nonprofit health care organizations in the United States and has provided exceptional care for children from all 50 states and 80 countries around the world for more than 145 years. With its academic partner, WashU Medicine, St. Louis Children’s is consistently ranked among the nation’s best pediatric hospitals by U.S. News & World Report and earns national distinction for comprehensive services that include heart, cancer, neurology, and orthopedics. St. Louis Children’s is among an elite group of pediatric hospitals worldwide that have achieved a fifth consecutive, four-year Magnet Distinction® designation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. St. Louis Children’s is also one of the few pediatric hospitals in the Midwest nationally recognized by the American College of Surgeons as a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center, which is the highest classification of trauma care. To learn more, visit StLouisChildrens.org, Facebook, X, and Instagram.
