Seton Leadership Team Charles J. Barnett, FACHE

Trustee, Seton Healthcare Family,
and President, Healthcare Operations and Chief Operating Officer, Ascension Health

Until recently, Charles J. Barnett served as president and CEO of The Seton Healthcare Family. He also served as Texas/Missouri Ministry Market Leader with Ascension Health, the nation's largest nonprofit healthcare system. In January 2012, he took a leave of absence from his Seton duties to oversee operations at all Ascension Health ministries. Barnett also has responsibility for Ascension Health's enterprise resource planning, IT, facilities, and supply chain functions.

Charles has more than 40 years experience in health care. Prior to joining Seton in 1993, he served as vice president and chief operating officer of Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Va. He was also senior vice president at St. Joseph's; Mt. Clemens, Michigan and executive vice president at St. Joseph Medical Center; Joliet, Illinois.

Charles began his healthcare career as an operating room technician in 1972 and earned a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Xavier University. He also earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Cincinnati, where he taught history and was a doctoral candidate in the History of Medicine. He is currently a member of the Xavier University Health Services Graduate Program Advisory Board. He has authored articles on a variety of healthcare issues and has presented at numerous national healthcare conferences.

Charles is a member of Texas State Sen. Kirk Watson’s Organizing Committee for the development of a medical school on The University of Texas-Austin campus. He has served as chairman of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, the Capitol Area United Way, Austin Partners in Education, Children’s Optimal Health and the Texas Catholic Healthcare Association.. He received the Heart Association’s Distinguished Service Award in 2005 for his leadership during the massive influx of patients into Central Texas as a result of Hurricane Rita and was recognized by Ascension Health with their Access Leadership Award. He recently received a Bicentennial Medal from the Seton Legacy of Charity in honor of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, awarded for significant contributions in social services, education and health care. He also was recently named an Affiliate of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Louis Province. Barnett was the 2007 recipient of the Rostow Award, which honors community leaders who have made a difference in the lives of children. He also is an Affiliate of the Daughters of Charity St. Vincent de Paul West Central Province. He was named 2009 Austinite of the Year by the Austin Chamber of Commerce, principally for his leadership role in establishing a partnership with The University of Texas System and The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.