In his new role, Carlson will help ensure that the Catholic values and mission of Ascension Saint Thomas are reflected in every part of patient care across its hospitals and clinics in Tennessee. He will work closely with doctors, nurses, and staff to keep compassion, spiritual support, and ethical decision-making at the heart of healthcare. His work will help strengthen the faith-based foundation of Ascension Saint Thomas by supporting spiritual care services, staff development, open communication, and close collaboration with local Catholic dioceses.
Ken brings more than 25 years of experience in spiritual care, pastoral leadership, and mission integration. He most recently served in Mission and Spiritual Care leadership at St. Luke’s Health in Houston, Texas, part of CommonSpirit Health, one of the nation’s largest Catholic health systems. In this role, he led initiatives to fully embed the organization’s Mission, Vision, and Values across operations, culture, and patient experience.
Ken’s career includes two decades of service to the Archdiocese of Chicago in various pastoral and leadership roles, as well as 16 years as a U.S. Army Chaplain, including multiple overseas deployments. He retired as Commander of the 112th Chaplain Detachment, bringing with him a wealth of experience in servant leadership and spiritual resilience.
“We are honored to welcome Ken to Ascension Saint Thomas,” said Fahad Tahir, president and CEO of Ascension Saint Thomas. “Ken brings a remarkable depth of experience in mission-driven leadership, and his lifelong commitment to service and faith will help guide our health system and Catholic health ministry in service to the community.”
Ken holds a Master of Divinity from the University of St. Mary of the Lake and a Bachelor of Arts from Loyola University Chicago. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Adriana, and their family, cooking for friends, and fostering meaningful relationships grounded in compassion and authenticity.
