The future of Swedish Hospital in Ballard seems more assured than in the past.

Eight months into his new position as president and chief executive officer of Swedish Medical Center, Dr. Rodney F. Hochman is looking towards the future.

He said when he arrived there were some ideas of diminishing the Ballard campus, but no more.

"You don't dig up that amount of dirt in order to leave," Hochman said, referring to a new $31 million expansion plan announced last week that includes a five story outpatient center on the Ballard campus that is expected to open in late 2009.

"Our vision for Ballard, the phase one plan, is more development as we move into the future," said Hochman.

"I look forward to working with physicians, staff and leadership to take this renowned organization to the next level. I am thrilled to be joining Swedish. It is an organization with a regional and increasingly national reputation for patient care with a bright future ahead," said Hochman.

With the new facility, he said Ballard Swedish will attract more doctors and give them a place to practice. Services will be in one location, rather than spread out. Swedish's operations will be more efficient said Kevin Brown, Chief Strategic Officer and Chief Administrative Officer.

Some high priorities for Swedish Medical Center, the largest and most comprehensive non-profit heath care provider in the greater Seattle area include: a state of the art clinical information system; long term strategic planning; developing and enhancing service lines in neurosciences, heart and vascular, cancer, orthopedics, surgery, women and infants, and pediatrics; strengthening Swedish's culture of philanthropy; and leading a major fundraising campaign.

Swedish Medical Center was started in 1910 and now has four campuses in First Hill, Cherry Hill (formerly Providence), Issaquah and Ballard.

Hochman is no stranger to running large health care systems. He was the executive vice president of Sentara Healthcare in Norfolk, Va. Sentara's medical system had seven acute care hospitals, 1,722 beds and 17,000 employees.

Hochman is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, a Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology and a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He is recipient of 2001Physician Executive Award of Excellence from Modern Physician magazine.

Under his leadership, Sentara Norfolk General Hospital won the American Hospital's prestigious Quest for Quality national award in 2002.

Kirby McDonald, Swedish's board chairman said Hochman has a unique blend of leadership qualities, visionary thinking and management skills.

"Throughout his 30-year career, Rod has steadfastly worked to achieve excellence in everything he has done. Starting first as a physician and then as an associate professor, assistant dean and administrator. In short, the search committee believed- and the Swedish board concurred- that Rod is the right individual at the right time for the job," said McDonald.

Hochman has met with community groups in Ballard and has learned about the hospital's rich history.

The original Ballard General Hospital opened in 1954 after a grass roots $1.5 million fundraising campaign. A famous group calling themselves the "Knuckle Knockers," went door to door to solicit donations.

"That passion is what is driving our plans for the future. When you have a community that has that much interest, that is that ingrained, that is the foundation for building the program," said Hochman.

Dr. Shawn West, Swedish Ballard's chief of staff said the hospital is changing to meet the demographics of Ballard.

"We are very excited about this. We are expanding and offering more services, not less. Things are changing for the better," said West.

West said people love coming to Ballard Swedish to see their doctor and not have to leave the area. In addition, some long time patients recognize nurses that treated them 12 years ago.

West said patients receive more personalized care. If needed they can utilize Swedish's larger medical system.

Generations of Ballard families have given birth to children at Ballard Swedish and the hospital wants to serve them throughout their lives. "All the babies born in Ballard, we want to continue seeing them," said David R. Kiehn, Director of Operations.

Hochman succeeds Richard H. Peterson who has retired.

Dean Wong may be reached at 783.1244 or deanw@robinsonnews.com