CEO Highlight

Teri has spent her 30+ year medical career listening to patients, listening to her community, listening to employees and listening to doctors to transform care through a hardcore commitment to compassion, quality, transparency, and serious service.

As a non-clinician, Teri understands the challenges of navigating medical care as a consumer: where complex systems and poor communication levers fail every day in traditional healthcare systems and clinics.

Teri believes that people are not only desperate for healing when they seek medical care. Each person is hoping they are met with respect, friendly faces, caring healthcare teams who understand the importance of a soft word when you are scared or what a blanket might mean when you’re cold, someone who is looking out for you like you are one of their family members. All it takes is being patient once to know it can be a scary experience.

Teri joined Physicians Premier as Chief Executive Officer in April of 2021 bringing over 30 years of experience in a variety of healthcare settings mostly large hospital systems. She is a proud Longhorn following in her Dad’s footsteps to University of Texas at Austin. She also has an MBA from Marylhurst University.

Teri has been a speaker at multiple national conferences and is known as a passionate supporter of improving patient service levels and access to high-quality care. She believes big data and digital tools can be harnessed to better provide patients with their own health data, education and avenues to find the right care.

Teri believes that “Physicians Premier is such an innovative and unique option for emergency medical care. My own values align with the Governing Board and our mission to provide convenient, compassionate, patient focused care. It’s a privilege and blessing to serve. Together with our physicians and hundreds of employees, we strive to be Premier at every touchpoint. It’s what I would expect if I needed care.”

Building Connections and Leading with Care: CEO Teri Cardenas Shares Her Story

In an inspiring episode of PBS’s South Texas Leaders, Teri Cardenas, CEO of Physicians Premier Emergency Room, sat down with host Libby Averyt to share her story. Teri opened up about her journey to leadership, starting from her roots in a nurturing and supportive family. She shared how her upbringing instilled in her a deep appreciation for the power of personal connections, a value she has carried throughout her career.

Teri also shared what it means to lead with care and how her approach has helped create a positive impact within her team and the community. From early lessons on empathy and hard work to the moments that shaped her, Teri’s story is one of resilience, passion, and purpose.