Leadership and Governance

President & Chief Executive Officer

Jaf Fielder is president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Willis Knighton Health in Shreveport, Louisiana. It is the largest healthcare provider and the largest nongovernment employer in North Louisiana.  As CEO, he has responsibility for an integrated healthcare delivery system of four acute care hospitals, a rehabilitation institute, an extensive multispecialty physician network and the state’s largest retirement community, The Oaks of Louisiana. In 2023 Fielder was named a trustee of the Willis Knighton Health Board of Trustees.

Starting his career at Willis Knighton at age 23, Fielder gained more than 30 years of experience in healthcare management before being tapped as CEO. Prior to his appointment to the top position in October 2021, he held multiple senior roles across the organization including chief operating officer, senior vice president, and administrator of Willis Knighton North, the tertiary care hospital. He also directed Willis Knighton’s human resources activities for 26  years and previously served as the information security and privacy officer.

Professionally, Fielder is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, he is also a trustee for the Louisiana Hospital Association and has served on that organization’s Legislative, Regulatory & Policy Council. In 2025 he was chosen as chair of its HOSPPAC Committee. In addition, he serves on the board of the Willis Knighton Health Clinically Integrated Network, the Vizient Southern States board and was president of the Willis Knighton Federal Credit Union for over 26 years. He previously served on the board and in leadership positions of the Northwest Louisiana Society of Human Resource Management, where he held a designation as Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).

Within the community, Fielder has worked with the Northwest Louisiana Food Bank since 2013, serving in various positions, including separate tenures as chairman, 2017-2019 and 2024-2025. He is also on the board of directors of the Louisiana State Fair and is a member of the Committee of 100. Previously, he served on the boards of North Louisiana Goodwill Industries (finance and contract labor committees) and MLK Health Center & Pharmacy. In 2024 he was chair of the Northwest Louisiana Heart Walk sponsored by the American Heart Association. In the same year he was named to the Healthcare Pelican Transition Team by Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry. He is a member of University Church of Christ, where he is a deacon.

In 2023 Fielder received the Distinguished Clyde E. Fant Award from the United Way of Northwest Louisiana. He is the honorary commander of the 307^th Medical Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base. In 2024 he accepted the Centennial Award from the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce and the 2024 and 2025 Business of the Year awards from the Bossier Chamber of Commerce.

Fielder is a native of Shreveport and has resided in Shreveport for most of his life. His academic achievements include Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration degrees from Abilene Christian University as well as a Bachelor of Science in accounting from LSU Shreveport.

During his tenure as CEO he has overseen advancement of technology and services within the health system, including the expansion of Willis Knighton’s Graduate Medical Education program.  To further support medical services in the community, he has initiated funding for nurse anesthesia and radiology programs at Northwestern State University and supported creation of the Willis Knighton Health Occupations Partnership (HOP) that introduces underserved students to careers in healthcare.

Among philanthropic projects funded under his administration are a $3 million renovation for Caddo Parish Lee Hedges Stadium, an innovative Firefighter Health Initiative that provides free cancer screenings for current and former firefighters in Caddo and Bossier parishes, a partnership with Caddo Parish Schools to provide athletic trainers free of charge to high school athletic programs, funding for projects to enhance services of local fire and public safety departments, and a partnership with the YMCA and Shreveport Little League to build a sporting event complex.

Fielder and his wife, Shelly, have three grown daughters, Jordan, Jenna and Jamie.

Senior Vice Presidents

Governance

Willis Knighton Health is a not for profit community healthcare corporation operated for the public good. It is classified as a 501(c)3 charitable organization by the Internal Revenue Service. 

The organization is operated by a board of trustees composed of local residents who serve voluntarily. With the exception of the chief executive officer, who is a member of the board, none receives payment for their service.

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