Mitzi Cardenas is a healthcare executive with more than 30 years of experience in the industry. She currently serves as the Executive Chief Administrative Officer for University Health with oversight of corporate administrative operations and services, including construction and real estate, strategy and planning, information systems and technology, compliance, public safety, community relations, supply chain, and business growth and development.

Since arriving at the organization in 2008, Cardenas has led the efforts to bring it into the forefront as a front-runner in the use of leading-edge technology and innovation to improve patient safety and quality of care. From this effort, University Health has been recognized for the 12th consecutive year as “HealthCare’s Most Wired” designation, as well as the prestigious Stage 7 designation from HIMSS Analytics. University Health has twice been named a HIMSS Davies Award winner, an internationally recognized honor for exceptional use of technology to improve quality of care. In addition, Cardenas has led the planning and oversight of major construction projects and facility improvements, resulting from a comprehensive strategic planning process and the plan developed for the organization.

Cardenas also has received recognition by Ingram’s magazine as a “Hero in Healthcare” and, in addition, was named one of the Most Powerful Women in Health IT by Health Data Management for two consecutive years. In 2019, she was named one of 25 female business leaders in “Women Who Mean Business” by the Kansas City Business Journal. And most recently, recognized as one of “Ingram’s 250 Most Powerful Business Leaders in Kansas City,” by Ingram’s Kansas City’s Business Magazine, September 2022.

Cardenas has also served as the chair of the American Hospital Association’s Interoperability Advisory Group, and as the chair of the Missouri Hospital Association’s HIT Committee. She played an integral role as a member of the board and executive committee for the Lewis and Clark Health Information Exchange, as well as several national advisory and vendor committees. She currently serves on the board of trustees for Park University and on the executive committee and board of the YMCA of Greater Kansas City.

Before joining Truman Medical Centers/University Health, Cardenas held leadership and consulting roles in a pediatric academic medical center, the military health system, and a multi-hospital healthcare delivery system. She received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Master of Science from Troy State University.