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Elizabeth Wako, M.D., named interim president and CEO of Swedish Health Services

Published Date
Author Swedish Communications

Today, we are thrilled to announce that Elizabeth Wako, M.D., has been named interim president and CEO of Swedish Health Services. In this role, she will continue the momentum established by Guy Hudson, M.D., who recently announced his decision to step down to pursue the next chapter of his career.

Dr. Wako is a proven executive with 30 years of experience in health care. Having started her career as a psychiatric nurse, she later went on to medical school, completing a residency in anesthesiology as well as a fellowship in perioperative medicine at the University of Washington. She also earned an MBA from the UW Foster School of Business and has served in key executive roles since joining Swedish in 2011, including her most recent position as chief executive of Providence Swedish’s Central Service Area. 

Dr. Hudson could not be happier or more supportive. Having worked closely with Dr. Wako over the years, he is fully confident in her leadership and is excited to see a key member of his team elevated into this important role. 

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Wako on this role, which is effective immediately.

R. Omar Riojas

Swedish Board of Trustees, Chair

Rod Hochman, M.D.

President and CEO, Providence

About Providence Swedish

Providence Swedish has served the Puget Sound region since the first Providence hospital opened in Seattle in 1877 and the first Swedish hospital opened in 1910. The two organizations affiliated in 2012 and today comprise the largest health care delivery system in Western Washington, with 22,000 caregivers, eight hospitals and nearly 250 clinics. A not-for-profit family of organizations, Providence Swedish provides more than $406 million in community benefit in the Puget Sound Region each year. The health system offers a comprehensive range of services and specialty and subspecialty care in a number of clinical areas, including cancer care, cardiovascular health, neurosciences, orthopedics, digestive health and women’s and children’s care.