Kristi Olson
Interim CEO
Kristi Olson is a proven healthcare leader with more than 20 years’ experience in healthcare administration and operations. She joined Centura Health in 2011 and has led high performing teams in physical therapy, rehabilitation and home health across our connected ecosystem.
Kristi graduated Magna Cum Laude from the U.S. Naval Academy and served as an anti-submarine warfare officer as well as an administrative officer for the National Naval Medical Center. With a passion for advancing her education, she earned her Master of Science, also Magna Cum Laude, in physical therapy from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.
Kristi’s leadership nurtures the incredible work being done by the caregivers and physicians at St. Thomas More Hospital. She is an asset to the community she serves and Centura as a whole.
Kern Low, MD, FAAFP
Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Low joined St. Thomas More in January 2015 as Chief Medical Officer after serving the Centura Health Physician Group as medical director for primary care in the South State Operating Group (SSOG), which includes Penrose-St. Francis Health Services in Colorado Springs, Colo., St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center (SMC) in Pueblo, Colo., and STM.
He has been practicing medicine for over 25 years including clinic, inpatient and obstetric care, and brings a wealth of experience in the medical, clinical teaching and leadership realms. He was a partner at Comprehensive Family Care Center in Pueblo from 1998-2011, and held various roles at Southern Colorado Family Medicine, a clinic located at SMC, from 1998 to 2013 including faculty, medical student coordinator and clinic director. He earned the SCFM Outstanding Faculty Award and was named the 2012 Colorado Family Physician of the Year award from the Colorado Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP).
He has served the CAFP as both President and Board Chair. He represented the Colorado Chapter by serving on the Congress of Delegates for the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and is currently a Fellow of the AAFP. He was the 2010 Chair of the Subcommittee on the Annual Scientific Assembly Planning in Denver, Colo.
Dr. Low earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychobiology with honors in 1988 at the University of Southern California and his medical degree in 1992 from the Chicago Medical School. He completed an internship and residency in Family Medicine in 1993 and 1995, respectively, from Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii.
As CMO, Dr. Low is responsible for providing leadership, strategic direction and operational management of physician services and medical staff administration. He collaborates with our leadership team to develop strategic plans and policies, provide a multidisciplinary approach to clinical outcome management, and build effective relationships between the hospital and its medical staff to produce safe, quality care and excellent clinical outcomes. He also works closely with our SSOG CMO and Centura Health Chief Medical Executive to meet system-wide strategies, goals, objectives and standards.
Highlights of his military career include: Officer-In-Charge, Camp Casey Troop Medical Clinic, Korea; Meritorious Service Medal; Expert Field Medical Badge; Army Commendation Medal and Family Physician at Evans Army Community Hospital, Ft. Carson; and commissioned as a major in the U.S. Army Medical Corp.
Laura Cardoza, BSN, MSN, MHA, JD, RN
VP, Nursing and Chief Nursing Officer
After earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, IN, Laura earned her MSN from University of Texas, Houston, TX. She then went on to earn her Post Graduate Degree in Health Care Administration from Texas Woman’s University, Houston, TX and her Juris Doctorate from University of Houston Law Center.
Laura began her medical career as Staff RN at Decatur County Memorial Hospital, eventually moving over to HCA, Inc., Gulf Coast Division. There she promoted to Regulatory Compliance and Education Director and eventually Nursing Director for Women’s Services, Labor and Delivery, Nursery and Mother/Baby. Laura then moved on to HMA, Inc., Chester Regional Medical Center as Chief Nursing Officer, relocating to Sierra Vista Hospital as their Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Operating Officer. She came to St. Thomas More after serving as Division Director of Quality, Risk and Patient Safety at HCA Gulf Coast Division. Altogether, Laura has spent 23 years in the medical field.
Laura’s proven management and patient care experience will help her serve as an advocate for patients and staff alike, and be a valuable leader in the community.
Transforming Our Culture
The face of professional medical care has significantly changed over the last decade. Our facilities have been transformed into warm and compassionate atmospheres; from the design of the rooms and lobbies to the way you are treated from the time you walk through our doors.
We believe healing includes not only the medicine and medical service you receive. We believe your level of comfort, your understanding of your diagnosis, and your treatment plan, are critical to your recovery. You spiritual needs complete the circle of healing.
To this end, the redesign of our facilities has included warmer colors, softer lighting and a more pleasant atmosphere. Our staff completes countless hours of training and education to keep current on the latest medical treatments, cultural, and customer service information. Our orientation for new associates encompasses two days of information and workshops. You are that important to us.
Our role as a "community" hospital means you are our neighbors, family and friends. We attend church with you and see you at the grocery store. It is our intent to offer you the best medical care the Centura System of hospitals can offer you. There is strength in our affiliation with the Centura network of hospitals. What services we don't have, we can offer through one of our sister hospitals.
Your feedback is important. In our lobbies are opportunities to share your compliments and complaints. You may complete a card and put it in a confidential box opened only by our Administrative staff. You can also call our complaint resolution line at 719-285-2950.
You may also contact me. As CEO and President, I am not always immediately available, however, you can leave a message with my Administrative Assistant or on my voice mail and I will return your call.
Our mission is to extend the healing ministries of Christ. That means we open our facilities to everyone needing medical attention. You are welcome here. Come heal with us.
