ST. LOUIS, Missouri, June 3, 2024 – The St. Louis Area Business Health Coalition (BHC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Laurel Pickering as its new President & Chief Executive Officer. Pickering succeeds Louise Probst, who is retiring after more than two decades of service to the organization. Laurel’s career has been dedicated to improving healthcare safety, quality, and affordability. She brings a wealth of experience and passion for supporting health care purchasers in realizing better value.
Board president John Ziegler, Jr. commented, “We were pleased that our national search for BHC’s new leader garnered many impressive candidates, and we are confident that as BHC’s President & CEO, Laurel’s experience, knowledge, and strong leadership will position BHC well for years to come.”
Pickering was the President & CEO of Northeast Business Group on Health (NEBGH) for over 20 years. She grew the organization and led strategic initiatives focused on improving healthcare delivery and providing employers with tools to effectively manage their health benefits. During her years at NEBGH, Pickering succeeded in creating solutions for employers to purchase based on value, and advance payment reform, primary care, and mental health services. The coalition of jumbo employers also created health insurance options for small businesses.
Most recently, Pickering has focused her career on innovation, working for digital health company, Welldoc, which uses technology to manage chronic conditions and Centivo, an alternative health plan focused on primary care and affordability. At both organizations, her goal was to accelerate adoption of new healthcare solutions focused on improving outcomes and affordability.
Pickering expressed her enthusiasm about joining BHC, stating, “I am honored to take on this role and build upon BHC’s strong foundation. I look forward to collaborating with our members, partners, and other stakeholders to drive further innovation and positive change in healthcare value for employers and families in the St. Louis region and beyond.”
Probst said, “During her tenure in New York, Laurel was known as an active collaborator and community-minded advocate aimed at achieving better health and healthcare value for all.”
Pickering received her Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University at Albany, and a Master’s in Public Health from Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University.
Pickering’s first day at BHC is June 5, 2024, providing an overlap to ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities before Probst retires on June 30, 2024. During this period, the two will work closely to ensure continuity of BHC’s strategic initiatives and member services.
As BHC embarks on this new chapter, the organization expresses its heartfelt gratitude to Louise Probst for her outstanding leadership and dedication to the coalition’s mission for over 20 years. Under her guidance, BHC has achieved significant milestones in supporting employer efforts to enhance the value of their investment in health benefits and improve the well-being of their employees.
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