Michael S Lawson

Michael S. Lawson brings more than three decades of health care leadership, operations and strategic clinical program development experience to his role as Houston Market President of St. Luke’s Health. He was named to the position in December 2024.

Working with his leadership team, Michael provides administrative leadership and direction for all operations and business entities of the market’s hospitals, ambulatory care centers and post-acute services.

Previously, he served since 2009 in various leadership roles at OhioHealth System, an integrated $7 billion hospital health care delivery system with a health plan and more than 320,000 covered individuals. Michael initially served as Chief Operating Officer before being appointed President of OhioHealth's Grant Medical Center in Columbus in 2013. He was responsible for OhioHealth Grant Medical Center, the OhioHealth Pickerington and Westerville Medical Campuses and OhioHealth Grove City Methodist Hospital. 

In 2017, Micahel was promoted and became OhioHealth’s South Market President. He was responsible for strategic market growth, cost management, and administrative and operational leadership of inpatient and outpatient facilities that included hospitals, medical centers, joint ventures and ambulatory clinics. His duties expanded in 2020 through his participation on corporate committees and multiple boards. He also expanded the geographic presence of the OhioHealth EMS system program to the Central Ohio and regional rural markets.  

During his tenure at OhioHealth, Michael led market and hospital operations, overseeing market share growth, various clinical and non-clinical departments, spearheading construction projects and helping guide the hospital’s capital and budget management process. He was instrumental in maintaining strong operational performance, overall growth and master site planning. Michael was also responsible for leading the strategic development and operations of OhioHealth’s Emergency Medical Services program and the freestanding emergency departments throughout central Ohio; and was the accountable executive for the OhioHealth Quality and Affordability initiative linked to Workforce Innovation.

Before joining OhioHealth, Michael spent 24 years with Cleveland Clinic in multiple leadership roles, advancing from an administrator role to senior level vice president positions responsible for service line, hospital-based and health system operations, including surgical services, emergency medicine, clinical program development, community relations, system integration and radiology.  

Prior to his management career, Michael had a clinical role performing X-rays in the cardiac and neurologic intensive care units at Cleveland Clinic. 

Michael Lawson earned a Bachelor of Arts at Baldwin College and a Master of Business Administration at Cleveland State University. He also completed Harvard Business School’s Executive Leadership Development program. 

Michael serves as chairman of the board of trustees for the Med-Flight Corporation. He is also an advisor and board member of the Med-Care Corporation and Franklin University. His other diverse board service has included Columbus Metropolitan Library, Westerville Endoscopy Center, Eastside Surgery Center and Downtown Endoscopy Center. He is also a member of American College of Healthcare Executives, Medical Group Management Association and National Association of Health Service Executives. 

Michael has authored three books and numerous articles focusing on strategic leadership.