E.J. Kuiper was appointed to serve as President and CEO of HSHS Illinois division in January 2020. He began his service with HSHS in 2013 as President and CEO of the central Illinois division. Kuiper provides leadership on strategic and long-term initiatives across the division, which includes HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, as well as eight other HSHS hospitals in central and southern Illinois.
In 2014, HSHS purchased the building on the corner of Madison and 9th streets and invested more than $5 million to transition it into offices. HSHS St. John’s Hospital has been one of the main organizations in downtown Springfield since it was founded by the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis in 1875.
Kuiper began his career in health care as a physical therapist after receiving a clinical doctorate in physical therapy from the University of St. Augustine. In this role he went on to lead departments, service lines, hospitals and divisions.
After receiving his MHA from Florida Gulf Coast University, he served in various executive roles for HCA in the Southwest Florida region after which he served as the president and CEO of Saint Anthony’s Health System.