JOSEPH R. SWEDISH:
 




 
 
 
 
 
President and CEO of Trinity Health, a Novi-based Catholic health care system. Swedish arrived at Trinity in January 2005 and has led the organization on a long-term strategic plan, including efforts to serve the uninsured, move toward zero-defect health care, and provide superior customer service. Earlier in his career, he served as president and CEO of Centura Health, the largest health care provider in Colorado. While at Centura, the organization won the 2004 International Spirit at Work Award, and Swedish was named an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2003 for entrepreneurial risk-taking.


WHERE BORN: "Richmond, Va."

MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSONS: “My father. He was very disciplined and dedicated to his profession of mechanical engineering. He was very committed to family and a self-made man. As an immigrant from Eastern Europe, he adapted to a whole new life in the United States beginning in 1950.”

LAST BOOK READ: “When Teams Work Best, by Frank Lafasto and Carl Larson.”

WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME: “Passionate. An active listener. Courageous.”

WHERE MY FIELD/INDUSTRY IS HEADED: “We are moving rapidly toward the adoption of excellence in patient care services – proven by data transparency, with publicly disclosed performance metrics. Second, we are at the advent of significant management of information that improves clinical workflow processes. Finally, from a public policy perspective, we are migrating toward a health care delivery system that provides care for all.”

FAVORITE TECHNOLOGICAL GADGET: “My PDA. It’s the integration of mobile communications transmitting information anywhere at any time.”

FAVORITE PLACE: “Any mountain slope or stream.”

FAVORITE HOBBIES: “Fly-fishing, golf, and snow skiing.”

FAVORITE FOOD: "Southwestern."

MY HIDDEN TALENT: “Finding other people’s strengths and putting them in the right place to achieve their calling.”

HOW I WANT TO BE REMEMBERED: “That I led with courage, authenticity, service, truth, and effectiveness, creating a safe and healthy environment for people. That I enhanced life and liberty, inspiring others to a spiritual awareness and knowledge of wellness.”

Grant Thornton Website At the annual awards reception in April 2014, one Leader & Innovator from the previous 12 months will be selected as the Grant Thornton Leader & Innovator of the Year.