Elizabeth Ball Concordia '81

Elizabeth B. Concordia ’81 has built a career defined by service, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to improving lives. As president and chief executive officer of UCHealth, one of the nation’s leading nonprofit healthcare systems, she oversees an organization with more than 35,000 employees, 14 hospitals, and over 200 clinic locations serving communities across Colorado, southern Wyoming, and western Nebraska.

 

Elizabeth’s path to the top of one of the country’s largest healthcare organizations was not driven by the pursuit of accolades. Instead, she credits her success to consistency, reliability, and a focus on serving others. “There were no specific moments or projects that set up my career,” she says. “Consistently performing, being reliable, and always doing what’s right for employees and patients enabled me to grow.”

 

After graduating from Baldwin, Elizabeth earned a degree in economics and German from Duke University and later a Master of Administrative Science Management degree from Johns Hopkins University. Her career included leadership positions at renowned institutions such as Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Montefiore Medical Center, UPMC, and Ernst & Young before she joined UCHealth in 2014.

 

Today, she leads a healthcare system recognized nationally for innovation, patient care, and academic medicine. Under her leadership, UCHealth has expanded access to care, strengthened strategic partnerships, and embraced new technologies that improve outcomes for patients and communities.

 

As the leader of a nonprofit healthcare system, Elizabeth believes financial success and mission-driven care are deeply connected. “We cannot follow our mission without a sustainable margin,” she explains. “But for us, every decision contemplates the impact on our patients and the communities we serve, and our mission of improving lives always comes first.”

 

That mission was put to the test during the COVID pandemic, one of the most challenging periods in modern healthcare. Named Denver Business Journal’s Most Admired CEO in 2021, Elizabeth focused on supporting frontline caregivers while ensuring patients received the highest quality care.

 

“We had the philosophy that if our front-line staff members were present, leaders needed to be as well,” she says. Frequent communication, employee support programs, protective equipment, and a commitment to sharing medical knowledge across healthcare systems helped UCHealth navigate the crisis while keeping employees and patients at the center of every decision.

 

Throughout her career, Elizabeth has also been a champion for women in leadership. She believes organizations must create visible pathways for advancement and encourage talented women to pursue leadership opportunities. “When one sees women delivering outcomes and being promoted within an organization, it demonstrates that everyone has equal chances,” she says.

 

Her advice to young women entering the workforce reflects lessons learned through years of leadership. Drawing on experiences as an athlete, she emphasizes the importance of confidence, grit, teamwork, and speaking up respectfully when faced with challenges.

 

She also encourages young leaders to maintain balance and prioritize their well-being. “You need to find what works for you,” she says, citing the support of family, friends, exercise, and strong workplace teams as essential to managing pressure and sustaining long-term success.

 

In her acceptance remarks, Elizabeth shared a particularly meaningful message for Baldwin students who may doubt their own potential. “To those of you who aren’t at the top of the class or don’t have straight A’s, don’t let that define you or hold you back,” she said. “Your grades do not determine your success. Your drive, your resilience, and your belief in yourself do.”

 

Today, what continues to inspire her is the same motivation that first drew her to healthcare as a high school volunteer in an emergency room: helping people during some of the most important moments of their lives.