Nikki Stafford, FACHE

President, St. Louis Children’s Hospital

Nikki Stafford is president of St. Louis Children’s Hospital, part of BJC Health’s East Region, which operates as BJC HealthCare. As part of this role, Nikki is also president of the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation.

As president of St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Nikki sets the strategic vision for the nationally ranked hospital’s clinical excellence, operational performance, and culture, fostering collaboration across physicians, staff, and community partners, and working in close partnership with leadership from BJC Health and St. Louis Children’s Hospital’s academic partner, WashU Medicine.  

Prior to joining St. Louis Children’s Hospital in 2026, Nikki served as president, American Family Children’s Hospital (AFCH), and system vice president, Pediatric Services, UW Health, in Madison, Wisconsin. There, she was responsible for the overall administrative direction of AFCH, achieving consistent growth and clinical excellence throughout her tenure. Prior to joining UW Health Kids, Nikki held roles with increasing scope and responsibility at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital-Upstate, Greenville (S.C.) Memorial Hospital, Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation Hospital, and Bon Secours St. Francis Health System.  

Nikki received her Master of Science in occupational therapy from Washington University in St. Louis and Master of Business Administration from the University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business. She is board certified in healthcare management as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), a Fellow of the Riley Institute through Furman University, a member of the Greenville Chamber’s Leadership-Class 46, and a member of the International Women’s Forum.