The Necessity of Nonprofit Health System Board Evolution in Today's Rapidly Evolving Healthcare Delivery System: The Successful Journey of Swedish Health Services (25H)

Successful healthcare in our communities relies on continual improvement of our care delivery systems, especially governance. Attendees of this session will gain exclusive insights into the evolution of Swedish Health Services, a five-hospital integrated health system with an 1,100-member associated multispecialty medical group. Discover how Swedish embarked on a journey of adaptation to emerge as a highly sophisticated enterprise with diversified governance and executive leadership. Review the intricacies of Swedish's board diversification process and the journey that restructured the board to reflect the rich diversity of the Seattle community and one that values the unique competencies of each board member. Learn what strategies were used to shift the focus of the board's work from acute care only to the continuum of care, which led to better care in Swedish communities, increased community trust in the health system and stronger relationships with caregivers. Explore how the Swedish board, armed with deeper insights into local markets and national trends, improved its effectiveness, such as through the formation of a Health Equity, Justice and Social Responsibility Committee. Finally, experience firsthand how Swedish strengthened physician engagement at the board level, fostering collaboration and alignment with leadership initiatives. Join us as we uncover the strategies, challenges and triumphs behind Swedish Health Services' remarkable journey, and discover valuable lessons for driving transformation in your healthcare organization.