No changes planned for Swedish Ballard after affiliation announcement with Providence

Two of Washington’s largest health care systems are now affiliated. Swedish Health Services, the parent of Swedish Ballard, and Providence Health & Services announced yesterday that they are joining forces.

Not much will change in Ballard, Rayburn Lewis, M.D. tells us. He is still in charge of Swedish Ballard, but with a new title: Chief Executive. Jennifer Graves also continues on as Nurse Executive.

“I’m sure in the next six, 12, 18 months, as we get to know each other’s organizations, there will be some changes, but I don’t see any in the near future,” Lewis tells us. “We’re still Swedish Ballard. We still have the same access to care.”

From the release sent out by both organizations:

Through this affiliation both organizations will collaborate to better deliver health care to the region, while at the same time maintaining their individual identities and heritage. Providence will retain its Catholic identity and name, and Swedish will retain its name and will remain non-religious. While the organizations’ names and brands won’t be changing and patients won’t see any difference in how they access care, by working together, Providence and Swedish can reduce costs and increase quality and access for patients in Western Washington.

Geeky Swedes

The founders of My Ballard

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