CHICAGO – After more than 15 years of accomplished leadership, Mark Newton, President and CEO of Swedish Covenant Hospital, will transition to a new role where he will take primary responsibility for the hospital’s Foundation and advocacy efforts. The Swedish Covenant Hospital Board of Directors has unanimously selected and approved Anthony Guaccio, the hospital’s current Chief Operating Officer, to become its next President and CEO beginning July 1, 2016. Newton will remain as CEO until June 30, 2016 and then transfer to his new role.
“We have a strong management team to execute the strategic goals established by the Board and are very pleased that Mark will remain involved with the hospital and that his replacement is from within our organization,” said David Dwight, President of Covenant Ministries of Benevolence, which has owned the hospital for 127 years. “We strongly support the mission of serving the community and this transition and promotion provides the continuity to remain well positioned for continued success.”
“The Board of Directors is confident that this new appointment will enable the hospital to continue to thrive in the current challenging healthcare environment. I’m pleased to have worked with both Mark and Anthony during my Board tenure and I am proud that the depth of experience of our executive management team has enabled us to promote from within” said Thomas Pyra, Swedish Covenant Hospital’s Chairman of the Board of Directors. “It takes a unique skill set to run an independent hospital like ours and I am pleased that we have an executive on our staff with the critical background, skill set and experience required. We greatly appreciate Mark’s numerous contributions to the hospital and the community, and we are very pleased that he will remain for a period in a new role.”
Mark Newton’s Contributions Pave the Way for Continued Success
Swedish Covenant Hospital has noticeably transformed under Newton’s leadership. In addition to new facility construction, many existing structures have been renovated and upgraded. Most importantly, he has led a culture change in the delivery of patient care at the hospital.
Swedish Covenant Hospital has developed a well-deserved reputation for high quality, technological and teaching excellence while providing inspired care. During the past 15 years, the hospital has achieved several important milestones, including:
- Providing almost 4 million outpatient treatments and 250,000 admissions
- The Swedish Covenant Hospital Board has committed over $300 million in capital to support the community
- Net assets have increased by almost $250 million; the hospital and its affiliated businesses provide 3,000 jobs; and the hospital has a staff of 700 physicians and allied staff
- The hospital has received eight consecutive “A” hospital safety grades from the Leapfrog Group, and is one of only four Chicago hospitals and 133 hospitals in the country to receive this ranking. It has also sustained Magnet Recognition® for nursing excellence since 2010
- Swedish Covenant Hospital was named Chicago’s only “Top Hospital” in Leapfrog’s 2013 Ranking for delivering the highest quality care
- The hospital operates eight residencies/fellowships with medical school affiliations with Midwestern University and St. George’s University of London
Mr. Guaccio has held various leadership positions at Swedish Covenant Hospital for more than 20 years, and has served as COO for the past decade, collaborating closely with the executive leadership team and the Board of Directors. As COO, he has ensured that the day-to-day business operations of the hospital run smoothly and efficiently, and has helped build a highly motivated, results-oriented team that collaborates to support patients.
As CEO, Guaccio will focus on several areas, including operations and technology, physician relations, employee relations and community relations. He values the strong sense of “family” at the hospital and believes that every person, employee, volunteer and physician plays an equally important role in delivering high quality and inspired health care to the community.
To ensure a smooth planned transition, Mr. Newton will remain CEO until June 30, 2016. Based on his passion for transformational giving to support the hospital, Newton will then become Vice Chairman of the Swedish Covenant Hospital Foundation. “The Swedish Covenant Hospital Foundation was launched during Mark’s tenure and has grown significantly with his support to provide funding for many key initiatives such as the Women’s Health Center and the Integrated Cancer Care program,” said Dennis Hammer, Chairman of the Swedish Covenant Foundation Board. “Mark is a great asset to the community and the hospital and we are extremely pleased to have him involved in the Foundation to help us bring even greater benefits to the community.”
The Board recognizes that running an independent hospital takes a unique skill set that is difficult to find in today’s climate of consolidation. “Based on Mr. Guaccio’s experience and demonstrated leadership qualities, we believe he is the right choice for the hospital,” added Mr. Pyra. “We are confident that he will continue to work with the Board and our physicians and staff to deliver the inspired care, quality outcomes and positive patient experiences that are key to our mission and success.”
