Guy Hudson, M.D., to step down as president and CEO of Swedish Health Services and Providence division chief executive
SEATTLE, Wash. – The below message was shared with caregivers across Providence Swedish.
As you’ll read in the announcement below from the Swedish Board of Trustees, Guy Hudson, M.D., has decided the time is right to leave Providence Swedish to take the next step in his career. Having worked closely with Guy over the last 16 years, I am deeply grateful for his leadership, dedication and friendship.
For as long as I have known Guy, he has always stepped up whenever called to serve. This was true when I first recruited him to help us expand access to pediatric specialty care in Western Washington in 2007 and again 10 years later when he agreed to take on the role of president and CEO of Swedish Health Services.
Now, having led the integration of the Puget Sound region and the development of our new North Division, Guy is being called to take his career in a new direction and is ready to pass the baton, knowing he leaves the North Division and Swedish in capable hands.
I am pleased to share that Kevin Brooks, who has served as COO of the Puget Sound region, has accepted the role of North Division chief executive, reporting to Providence COO Erik Wexler, effective April 1.
Elizabeth Wako, M.D., will continue to oversee the Swedish operations in King County as the chief executive for the Central Puget Sound service area. Kristy Carrington who serves as the chief executive for the North Puget Sound service area maintains responsibility for the Swedish operations in Snohomish County as well as Providence Regional Medical Center Everett.
Meanwhile, as noted in the message from the Swedish Board below, efforts will begin immediately to select the next president and CEO of Swedish.
Please join me in thanking Guy for his steadfast leadership over the years. I also want to welcome Kevin into his new role in the North Division and extend my deepest gratitude to Elizabeth, Kristy and the entire North Division team for their ongoing commitment to improving the health of communities across Western Washington and Alaska.
Rod Hochman, M.D.
President and CEO
A message from Swedish Board Chair Omar Riojas
With both sadness and gratitude, I am writing today to share that Guy Hudson, M.D., has decided the time is right to move onto the next chapter of his career. He will step down from his role as chief executive of Providence’s North Division on April 1 and as president and CEO of Swedish Health Services on Sept. 30.
Dr. Hudson has been a respected and integral part of our organization for nearly 16 years. Having joined Swedish in 2007 as a pediatric urologic surgeon, he has served admirably in numerous leadership capacities over the years, bringing a mission mindset and a steadfast commitment to excellence and compassion for our patients, caregivers, medical staffs and communities.
Since stepping into the role of Swedish president and CEO in 2017, he contributed to the advancement of health care in Western Washington in many ways. For example, he led the integration of our patient-care operations across the Puget Sound region and unified Providence and Swedish under a shared brand. He also led our COVID-19 response in the region, which was the nation’s first epicenter for the virus, and implemented several post-pandemic strategies that will position us well for the future. In addition, he has been a strong voice at the local, state and national level for our most vulnerable patient populations, and has fostered innovative partnerships throughout the community.
Dr. Hudson’s unwavering commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion has been another hallmark of his tenure. He established the Office of Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and bolstered the Swedish Board of Trustees to bring diverse perspectives and expertise to the organization. What’s more, he assembled a highly capable, talented and diverse leadership team, including bringing Providence’s Puget Sound and Alaska operations together under a shared North Division leadership structure.
The mark of any good leader is knowing when it’s time to pass the baton, and Dr. Hudson has let us know that time has come. He is incredibly confident in the team he has built and believes they are ready to take the organization to the next level.
The Swedish board will immediately get to work, per the terms of the affiliation, to select the next Swedish president and CEO, who will continue the momentum established by Dr. Hudson.
On behalf of the Swedish Board of Trustees, we are tremendously grateful for Dr. Hudson’s service and commitment to the health of our communities. Please join me in thanking him and wishing him all the best on his next chapter.
R. Omar Riojas
Chair, Swedish Board of Trustees
