SSM Health and Optum, a UnitedHealth Group member, have formed a pioneering alliance to make high-quality care more accessible and affordable to people throughout the Midwest. The organizations will work together to enhance individuals’ and communities’ overall well-being while also addressing the myriad social and economic factors that influence each person’s health. “Creating a new ecosystem of care requires bringing together the best and the brightest to collaborate for the common good,” said Laura S. Kaiser, FACHE, president and chief executive officer, SSM Health.