Program Directors
Dr. Steven Player
Dr. Steven Player is the Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for BJC Healthcare (BJC) in St. Louis where his multidisciplinary team delivers diversity & inclusion education, extensive language service support, and works to ensure the provision of exceptional care that is equitable for all. In addition to his core responsibilities as vice president, Dr. Player is both the co-founder and co-director of the Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Express Scripts, and St. Louis College of Pharmacy (BESt) Healthcare Summer Institute.
Dr. Player possesses a passion for developing the next generation of health care providers. This passion has led him to establishing not only the BESt program but also the Xavier Initiative, a key strategic partnership between Xavier University of Louisiana College of Pharmacy and BJH, and in serving as coordinator for the BJC HealthCare Pharmacy Internship Program.
Dr. Player also supports the community in various ways, some of which include serving on the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis Board of Directors, Girls, Inc. St. Louis Board of Directors, Xavier University of Louisiana College of Pharmacy Dean’s Advisory Board, member of the National Association of Health Services Executives, and participating in career planning sessions for local high school students.
Dr. Player’s academic achievements include a Doctorate of Pharmacy (Xavier University), a Masters in Business Administration (Webster University), and a Certificate in Diversity Management (Georgetown University and the Institute for Diversity and Health Management). Dr. Player is native of St. Louis, and is married with two beautiful children.
Dr. Celeste Player
As senior vice president of strategic drug sourcing, Celeste is responsible for developing, contracting and implementing companywide drug procurement strategies and governance practices that leverage scale and deliver savings. Celeste also leads teams responsible for achieving procurement cost-reduction targets and strategically deploying supply chain sourcing capabilities to sustain a competitive advantage.
Celeste has proven skills as a companywide collaborator and influencer. In her 17 years with Express Scripts, Celeste has held leadership positions in sales & clinical account management, operations, pharmacy practice, and strategy and transformation. Most recently, she led contact center operations with a keen focus on evolving and enhancing the customer experience. Celeste is a true advocate for patients, physicians and clients.
Celeste is also a committed contributor to the St. Louis community. She currently serves on the emeritus board of PreventEd, the board of Memory Care Home Solutions, and the advisory board for the Boeing Center for Supply Chain Innovation. Celeste is passionate about developing our future healthcare leaders and serves as Co-Director for the BESt Healthcare Institute. She is also a graduate of Cigna’s Senior Leader Talent Pool, St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative Fellows Program, Transformational Leadership Program for Multicultural Women, and McKinsey Academy’s Black Executive Leadership Program. Celeste has been featured many times on KSDK-TV Show Me St. Louis, educating patients on how to achieve healthier outcomes. She was also recognized as a member of the YWCA Academy of Leaders Class of 2019, Savoy Magazine’s Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America 2018, and St. Louis Business Journal’s Diverse Business Leader 2015. Celeste received a Doctor of Pharmacy from Xavier University College of Pharmacy in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Dr. Isaac Butler
Dr. Isaac Butler is a highly skilled servant leader, executor and coach with vast experiences in patient care, pharmacy benefit management, entrepreneurialism, ministry, diversity, inclusion and equity and higher education. Dr. Butler’s personal mission is to help people leverage their strengths in pursuit of their life’s purpose.
Dr. Butler currently serves at the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis as the Vice President for Campus Life and Chief Diversity Officer. In this role he provides senior-level leadership to ensure students and employees are equipped to thrive in an increasingly global marketplace. In addition, Dr. Butler is a certified StrengthFinder coach who owns a career and life coaching practice called Think-Dream-Lead. Prior to higher education, Dr. Butler spent 10 years in the corporate healthcare sector leading teams in sales, account management, product development and network contracting.
Dr. Butler has earned several degrees including a Doctorate of Pharmacy, Masters in Business Administration, Masters in Christian Leadership and Bachelor of Science in Medicinal Chemistry. He is a Certified Diversity Facilitator, Strategic Doing Practitioner, Mental Health First Aid Certified and graduate of the St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative Fellows and Focus St. Louis Leadership programs.
Other
Jerica Robinson
Jerica Robinson serves as the program manager for BESt Healthcare Institute. As program manager, Jerica is responsible for managing the programmatic infrastructure of BESt which includes recruitment of students, program development, program execution, and program evaluation. Her passion for working with students and trying to improve the healthcare system made her a great fit for this position. Jerica earned her Master of Public Health at St. Louis University, with a concentration in Behavioral Science and Health Education. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, majoring in Health Services Administration with concentrations in information technology and population health.
Misha Hart
Misha Hart serves as portfolio manager at BJC Healthcare in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Her work includes project management, including grants and special projects. Her previous work includes production of monoclonal antibodies at Washington University School of Medicine. Misha earned her Master’s degree in education from Webster University and bachelor of science in biochemistry from the University of Detroit Mercy. Misha is passionate about mentoring youth and has served as a Big Sister as part of Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Harlan Bryant Hodge
Harlan Hodge serves as the director of the Office Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy in St. Louis, where he is leading campus wide DEI efforts. His work is focused on creating a community and culture of belonging on campus, while partnering with groups on and off-campus to recruit and retain students and expand educational development opportunities. Prior to this role, Hodge served as Senior Manager of Diversity and Inclusion at BJC HealthCare. He serves as an elected member of the Board of Education for the Normandy Schools Collaborative and the founder and host of Black Health Matters St. Louis Podcast. He is also the Founder and Chief Ride Coordinator (CRC) of Black People Bike St. Louis, a community bike riding initiative. As a Tri-Athlete and two time Ultra Marathoner, Harlan is committed to improving the health outcomes of Black People in The St. Louis Region.
