Elaine I. Bauer, FACHE, serves as the vice president, strategic initiatives for the Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA) in the Washington, D.C. office. She is responsible for leading CHA's strategic planning process and implementation of strategic initiatives. Prior to joining CHA in 2008, Ms. Bauer was the vice president, strategy development for Catholic Health East for nearly a decade. She has held senior-level strategy roles in two other not-for-profit health care systems – Sutter Health in Sacramento, Calif. and the Sisters of Mercy Health System headquartered in St. Louis. She holds a BS degree in Medical Technology from Kansas State University and Master's degrees in Finance and Health Services Management from Webster University in St. Louis. She is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.