Joseph Swedish, Former CEO, Centura Health

The problems that Centura Health faced when Swedish came to the helm of the company in 1999 were similar to those of other major health care providers in the United States. Centura Health faced uncertain financial situations throughout the 1990s as a reflection of economic upheaval and gained little assistance from state or federal funding sources. As well, leadership at Centura prior to Swedish’s arrival struggled with the right balance between expanding services to meet patient needs and maintaining a strong financial bottom line. Finally, the Catholic influences on Centura Health mean that there is a need to balance secular services with a religious inspiration.

Swedish’s approach to Centura Health’s problems upon taking the position of CEO was to ensure that the financial bottom line was met while maintaining a strong level of service. The five years between Joseph Swedish’s ascension and retirement from the CEO position saw the rapid expansion of Centura Health’s outpatient, senior health, and other non-hospital services. As well, Swedish has worked hard to bring in community funding through donations, local government assistance, and federal government grants for health care systems. At present, Centura Health’s expansive services and strong financial situation have allowed it a prominent role in the creation of new health care policy in Colorado.

Joseph Swedish has not only seen Centura Health’s efforts in a business sense but also in a personal sense. Swedish and others involved in Centura’s leadership have brought a greater synthesis of Catholic ideas of services and secular approaches to health care over the last ten years. The CEO worked hard with his human resources personnel to find qualified and personally exceptional medical professionals for Centura Health professionals. However, Centura Health facilities also feature nondenominational services for people of all faiths and the ability to mobilize the services of local Catholic churches to provide patients a more comfortable environment to grow healthier. Swedish’s leadership of Centura Health has seen an impressive fusion of secular and religious concerns, as well as the combination of public and private funding to great effect.

One of the great improvements at Centura Health over the last decade has been an increased use of technology at the company’s facilities. Joseph Swedish’s turn as CEO has meant the modernization of computer equipment and health care software at Centura Health hospitals. In 2004, Swedish helped introduce the “digital hospital” concept at Centura, which increased the amount of administrative and preparatory work done virtually by hospital staff. As well, the interconnectivity of satellite offices and facilities with Centura Health’s corporate office have increased the level of services provided to Colorado residents. Joseph Swedish, in essence, has helped this massive health care system stay ahead of innovative developments in the industry by digitizing health information.

In Joseph Swedish’s time at Centura Health, a number of benchmarks have been achieved to prove his success as a CEO. By the time of his retirement in 2004, Centura Health was the largest hospital system in Colorado. This coverage was achieved through a system of senior care centers and satellite offices in places big and small throughout the state. As well, Centura Health was the fourth largest private employer in the state. Swedish’s commitment to increasing services meant that greater numbers of medical professionals needed to be hired in a short period of time. At present, Centura Health’s staff contains just over 12,000 associates at dozens of locations. Swedish has also overseen a rapid growth in the level of revenues that Centura Health has taken in, with nearly $1.5 billion in revenues in 2004. However, Swedish’s greatest accomplishment while CEO may have been an award earned through a prominent organization. In 2004, Centura Health was the recipient of the International Spirit at Work Award, one of only ten awards given that year. This award is given to businesses that demonstrate an advanced level of spirituality and faith in the workplace. Joseph Swedish left his mark on Centura Health by humanizing health care while keeping it financially viable.

Swedish has moved on to Trinity Health but since the move is still relatively recent, only time will tell if he will bring the same performance, results and humanity. We will be studying and reporting his impact in the near future.