“You want to run something, don’t you?” Dr. Rayburn Lewis recalls the new CEO at Swedish Hospital saying to him back in 2008. “How about the Ballard campus?

Lewis claims he had to keep from jumping up and down for joy. Recounting the story, he still looks like he could jump for joy, especially in light of the nearly completed new medical building that will dramatically increase the range and level of services available to patients in Ballard.

Talking about the new facility, Lewis, as executive director, beams as though speaking of new toys. As it happens, these toys are actually pieces of cutting-edge technology that will enhance medical services, but Lewis, who is also senior medical director, can say bowel resection and make it sound exciting. (His specialty is internal medicine).

I’ve wanted to interview Lewis ever since Zita Niemeyer, manager of Surgical Services (and a 45-year employee) decided to introduce us last November. My impression was that we chased him down the hall. I noticed he managed to be very light on his feet and still polite.

We next met at one of Jay Sasnett’s retirement parties, and he gave me his card with direct contact information. “There’s not a lot of hierarchy at Ballard,” he said.

Lewis is 60 years old, born in Tennessee but raised in Michigan after his family moved north. He came out to Seattle in 1974 for University of Washington Medical School and never left.

He met his wife Beth here and they’ve raised two sons, one still an undergraduate and the other pre-med. Like so many parents whose children “had Jay” at NOMS and Salmon Bay, Lewis has fond memories of camp at Lake Wenatchee, especially the ropes course. He also shares a love of bicycling.

There’s a framed poster of a bicycle racer in his office; Lewis’ bicycle commuting clothes hang next to a file cabinet. Lewis bicycles to work at least three times per week during the summer, part of his personal and professional goal to promote health and fitness for the whole Ballard campus. No headphones; for him the ride is contemplative.

His idea of fun outside of the hospital is a weekend like one recently spent at Mt. Hood, climbing, bicycling, river rafting. His wife asked why he was smiling at dinner. He told her it was because it felt so good to hurt that much from their recreation.

He may enjoy the recreational time away from the hospital, but it’s obvious that Lewis loves his work, particularly revitalizing the Ballard campus and creating a stronger role within the community.

When he arrived, the hospital had many strengths, but some services had gone away due to retired physicians, aging machines and specialization at other campuses. Lewis is rightly proud of his work in recruiting new physicians, who in turn bring new services to Ballard.

The new building is the most visible example of revitalization at Ballard campus, and Lewis is excited that it will give Swedish-Ballard a more visible presence on Market Street. As the largest local employer, Lewis sees the role of the hospital to be employer, medical provider and good neighbor to industry, merchants and residents.

During construction Lewis has gotten to don the hard hat, drive a backhoe and watch all phases of the new facility. Although he was medical director at Swedish-Cherry Hill during a major renovation, it wasn’t his baby.

The new building will have an expanded emergency room and consolidate primary care clinics.

Lewis feels strongly about his role and that of the hospital in the community. Ballard Swedish is one of the largest employers and it serves everyone.

As CEO, he feels responsible for his employees and all the potential users in the north end, from marine industrial companies to restaurateurs. With the emergency room serving 20,000 in 2009, he feels a public health responsibility not only to promote safety in the community but also for employees through their health and commuting choices.

No matter the topic, Lewis is curious and engaged. We discussed Dutch Bikes and Medic One, the Fremont fire tragedy and the new Swedish Community Health Medical Home clinic that can provide the bridge for individuals and small to medium size businesses.

While showing off some sites in the hospital building, Lewis noticed anyone who seemed lost and provided directions. Then he walked me out to where I’d parked my own bicycle to see my wheels.

It occurred to me as I rode home that it’s just possible that Dr. Rayburn Lewis is having too much fun. He makes running a hospital seem like a joyous sprint, and for the first time since college I almost missed hearing the sound of the starter’s gun.

The new building is scheduled to open the first week of November. Lewis is already planning another expansion, to provide a specialized type of radiation treatment for cancer patients called tomotherapy that does less collateral damage to healthy tissue. Ballard Swedish now offers chemotherapy. There’s also the new health clinic that allows small businesses to provide for employees. And, and, and…