Dr. Swensson Announces Retirement
Franklin, TN. February 25, 2014 – Erik Swensson, MD, FACS, who has served as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for Capella Healthcare since January of 2011, is retiring, effective February 28, according to Michael Wiechart, President and Chief Executive Officer. The retirement was announced this weekend at the company’s annual National Physician Leadership Group conference.
Dr. Swensson was appointed Capella’s first CMO in January 2011. He served part-time in the CMO role while continuing to practice medicine in McMinnville, Oregon, at Capella’s Willamette Valley Medical Center.
“Dr. Swensson has done an outstanding job facilitating the work of Capella’s National Physician Leadership Group, ensuring that physicians from across the company are continuously involved in shaping the company’s vision and future strategies,” Wiechart said. “He has also played a vital role in guiding our quality and service excellence initiatives. His service has helped to make a significant difference for the patients, communities, physicians and others served by hospitals in our Capella family.”
A national search is already underway for a new Chief Medical Officer.
Every Capella-affiliated hospital has a Physician Leadership Group (PLG) consisting of 6-10 members representing a cross-section of its medical staff, Wiechart said. The PLG provides input to hospital leadership on all aspects of operations, including strategic development, key initiatives, quality improvement, patient and employee satisfaction, and more. One member from each hospital’s PLG is designated to serve on Capella’s National Physician Leadership Group (NPLG), bringing the physician perspective to all major decisions.
Dr. Swensson had this message to share with physicians:
“It was just over three years ago, after I had to give up my surgical practice because of progressive back problems, that I was honored to be asked to be Capella’s first Chief Medical Officer. It has been a journey full of good relationships and educational experiences. I hope along the way I have helped our staff better care for their patients, and helped physicians improve their own medical practices. I know that you have inspired me and that I have grown from this experience.
I have had the privilege to work with and learn about medical communities across the country, both within and outside the Capella family. These experiences have made it very clear that a highly functioning medical community is all about strong relationships created by skilled leaders.
Every medical community is unique, but there’s one thing we all have in common: it takes all stakeholders working together to successfully negotiate the many challenges we all face. As physicians, we must partner with other physicians on the medical staff and in the community; with our patients as we strive together towards wellness; with the nursing staff and other caregivers to provide the highest quality; and with our hospital’s leaders so that timely institutional improvements can be made, and a culture of safety is developed.
Because physicians are at the center of care, the burden of responsibility falls more on our shoulders than on any others. I want to encourage you to embrace this unique position, whether as an informal or formal leader. Working together is the only way in which we’ll be able achieve our goals and provide the highest quality of care.
Finally, I want to thank you for the tremendous work you do every day, and for allowing me to have been able to share a small part of your lives over the last three years.”