Transformative Leadership: Systems
President, Ascension Seton Northwest, Southwest, Highland Lakes, Edgar B. Davis, Smithville, and Shoal Creek Hospitals
Leading Health Care Systems
Steven Brockman-Weber, DNP, RN, MSHSA, FACHE (DNP ‘15), currently serves as the president of seven hospitals within a large health care system, overseeing a complex network of facilities. In this role, he is responsible for guiding hospital operations, improving patient outcomes and ensuring the overall efficiency of the system. His ability to manage such a large organization stems from the leadership training and global perspective he gained while pursuing his Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in Systems Leadership from Rush University.
Brockman-Weber's journey into leadership began long before his time at Rush, as he knew from age 12 that he wanted to become a nurse. But it was his experience at Rush that allowed him to fully realize his potential as a health care leader. When he decided to pursue his doctoral work, he was drawn to Rush University’s strong reputation for faculty support and the opportunity to work on meaningful, high-impact projects.
While enrolled in the DNP program, Brockman-Weber learned how to think beyond individual care settings and embrace a systems-level approach to health care management. Courses on organizational finance and leadership were instrumental in helping him understand the broader picture of health care delivery.
"The DNP taught me how to think more globally and address the needs of the entire health care system, not just one unit or department," he explains.
This global perspective has been critical in his current role, where he constantly balances the needs of multiple hospitals and ensures seamless coordination between them.
One of the most meaningful experiences Brockman-Weber had at Rush was his DNP project, which directly influenced his work as a leader. The hands-on nature of the program allowed him to apply classroom concepts to real-world challenges, leading to improvements in hospital operations that are still in place today.
"That project made a lasting impact, and it reinforced the importance of applying academic knowledge to practical problems in health care," he says.
After completing his DNP in 2015, Brockman-Weber advanced quickly in his career, moving from CNO to system CNE, and today he serves as president of seven hospitals in a large health system. The knowledge and skills he acquired at Rush not only enabled him to excel in this position but also helped him develop a long-term vision for health care delivery within his organization. Today, he credits his Rush education for giving him the tools to manage complex health care systems and drive innovation across the hospitals he oversees.
Nearly nine years after earning his degree, Brockman-Weber remains a strong advocate for Rush University. He encourages future health care leaders to consider the DNP program, emphasizing the importance of the faculty's support and the program's focus on practical, systems-level leadership.
“Rush provides the education and the environment that allows leaders to thrive,” he says. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without it.”