About this Event
The Albers Executive Speaker Series presents Elizabeth Wako, M.D., MBA, President and CEO of Swedish Health Services, as the fourth speaker for the 2024-25 season. Register to attend her talk on April 16th 2025, 5:30-6:30 p.m., at Seattle University. The event is free and open to the public.
Dr. Wako is a proven leader with a healthcare career spanning over three decades that began as a registered nurse working in behavioral health. She received her medical degree from the University of Utah and returned to the University of Washington—her alma mater—to complete a medical residency in anesthesia, a fellowship in perioperative medicine, and finally, her MBA.
In November 2023, Dr. Wako was appointed as the permanent president and CEO of Swedish Health Services. Prior to the permanent appointment, Dr. Wako was serving in an interim capacity and recognized for her leadership in charting a transformational course for Swedish during a pivotal period in the organization’s history. She oversees an organization with more than 1,500 licensed patient beds, 48,000 annual inpatient admissions and $3.4 billion in revenue.
Before stepping into her current role, Dr. Wako held several key executive positions at Swedish including chief executive of Providence Swedish's services in the Central Puget Sound area, chief medical officer for the First Hill campus, chief operating officer for First Hill and chief executive for First Hill and Cherry Hill campuses.
About the Albers Executive Speaker Series
Since 2002, the Albers School of Business and Economics has organized the Albers Executive Speaker Series, live panels featuring top business leaders from the Puget Sound Area. Guests talk about a topic of their choice and respond to questions from a panel and the audience. The Speaker Series is yet another way Albers is committed to build student connections with the Seattle business community.
The Albers Executive Speaker Series is free and open to the public. Register to save your seat, submit questions for the speaker and to be emailed any updates on the event.
About Providence Swedish
Providence Swedish has served the Puget Sound region since the first Providence hospital opened in Seattle in 1877 and the first Swedish hospital opened in 1910. The two organizations affiliated in 2012 and today comprise the largest health care delivery system in Western Washington, with 22,000 caregivers, eight hospitals and 244 clinics. A not-for-profit family of organizations, Providence Swedish provided $540 million in community benefit in the Puget Sound region last year. The health system offers a comprehensive range of services and specialty and subspecialty care in a number of clinical areas, including cancer care, cardiovascular health, neurosciences, orthopedics, digestive health and women’s and children’s care.
About the Albers School of Business and Economics
Located in the heart of Seattle, the Albers School of Business and Economics at Seattle University is one of the premier business schools in the Northwest United States. Small class sizes and low student-to-faculty ratios ensure that a student is never just a number. Students benefit from the school’s deep business connections through mentorships, internships, and employment opportunities. Finally, Albers is distinct for its nearly 80-year legacy in championing the responsibility of business to create a better society.