Mr. Swedish has urged other healthcare leaders to embrace diversity as a way to end disparities and inequitable care delivery. He has said that patients should receive the same access to high-quality services regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation. In a speech to ethicists and healthcare leaders at the Catholic Health Association's Ethics Conference in 2008, he said, "A strong and unified commitment from all sectors of healthcare is essential to extend culturally competent care that improves patient safety and outcomes."
Until 2005, Mr. Swedish served as president and CEO of Centura Health, the largest healthcare provider in Colorado. Under his leadership, Centura was honored by placing five of its Denver hospitals in Solucent's "Top 100" in 2003 and winning the International Spirit at Work award in 2004. Prior to his work at Centura Health, Mr. Swedish was president of the East Florida and Central Florida Divisions of the Hospital Corporation of America.
Mr. Swedish brings a diverse resume to the table from his 32 years of experience in various healthcare organizations. He has worked for investor-owned and non-profit organizations, faith-based and secular healthcare and university and community-based academic medical centers. His work has taken him all over the United States, from the mid-Atlantic states to Florida to Colorado.
Mr. Swedish is currently a fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives, and he has served on the boards of the Colorado Hospital Assocation, American Hospital Association Regional Policy Board and the Public Education and Business Coalition. He is also dedicated to the Colorado community and has served as a board member of the Metro Denver Boy Scouts.
A native of Richmond, Virginia, Mr. Swedish received his master's degree in health administration from Duke University in 1979.
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