Leadership

Chief Executive Officer

Brett Matens was appointed chief executive officer (CEO) of Heart Hospital of Austin, one of the eight member hospitals of St. David's HealthCare, in May 2022.

Matens was formerly the chief operating officer (COO) of St. David's South Austin Medical Center from 2003 to 2016 before serving as COO of HCA Healthcare's Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center — a 680-bed facility in Denver, Colorado.

Before joining Heart Hospital of Austin, Matens oversaw the development and execution of Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center's electrophysiology, therapeutic GI, auto-immune bone marrow transplant (BMT) and pediatric BMT programs, among others. As a senior executive for this large facility, he was responsible for various clinical, ancillary and support departments, as well as key service lines, including cardiovascular, solid organ transplant, orthopedics/spine and BMT.

Prior to this, Matens led strategies at St. David's South Austin Medical Center to open Austin's first adult BMT program and advance the hospital's trauma program from Level IV to Level II. He also managed three major expansion and renovation projects totaling more than $150 million, including the hospital's Intensive Care Unit and Cath Lab.

Matens received his bachelor's degree from Mississippi State University and his masters in healthcare administration from Tulane University.

Chief Nursing Officer

Kim Barker was named chief nursing officer of Heart Hospital of Austin in July 2025.

Barker most recently served as assistant chief nursing officer at St. David’s South Austin Medical Center. In the role, she oversaw multiple departments, including cardiology, cardiopulmonary, emergency services and the intensive care unit. She also led, designed and implemented a nurse extern program, including curriculum development, competency assessments and structured shadowing experiences.

Prior to her role at St. David’s South Austin Medical Center, Barker served as the emergency service line director at St. David’s North Austin Medical Center for six years, beginning in 2016. Barker began her career with St. David’s HealthCare as a patient care technician at St. David’s South Austin Medical Center in 2006.

Barker earned a master’s degree in healthcare administration/management from Grand Canyon University, and she is a graduate of the Galen College of Nursing. Barker is also a member of the Emergency Nurses Association.

Chief Operating Officer

Michael Labrador was named chief operating officer of Heart Hospital of Austin in November 2023.

Labrador most recently served as vice president of operations and ethics and compliance officer at HCA Florida Englewood Hospital, a 100-bed acute care facility. In that role, he led the hospital's cardiovascular and emergency service lines, including overseeing a $10-million expansion and renovation project that more than doubled the size of the emergency department. Labrador also secured funding for the construction of a new MRI suite and the purchase of robotic systems to enhance surgical results. Additionally, he led the planning, preparation and recovery efforts during Hurricane Ian in 2022.

Prior to his time at HCA Florida Englewood Hospital, Labrador was the assistant administrator of LewisGale Medical Center, a 505-bed acute care facility in Salem, Virginia, where he provided administrative oversight for more than 10 construction projects totaling $13.1 million, including a renovation of the progressive care unit, an update of the catheterization lab and the opening of an infusion center.

Labrador earned his master's degree in healthcare administration from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, as well as a bachelor's degree in information systems from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.