Kathryn Swenson, DMSc, PA-C named Executive Clinical Director of Surgical Specialties 

In her most recent role, she served as the Advanced Practice Provider Director of Pediatric General Surgery-Trauma, Liver Transplant, and Neurosurgery and practiced clinically at Primary Children’s Hospital. In this multidisciplinary role, she led efforts in developing the strategic vision for Intermountain's Children's Health Pediatric Liver Transplant Program, helped establish the Pediatric Trauma 3 Activation Process and Pediatric Trauma Telehealth Program, and guided the management of Pediatric Surgery patients by focusing on evidence-based protocol development and process improvement which has led to decreased length of stay and opioid use in the postoperative laparoscopic appendectomy patient population.

Katie completed her Bachelor's Degree in Biology with a Minor in French at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado; a Doctorate in Medical Sciences (DMSc) from the University of Lynchburg; and will graduate from the Executive MBA program at the University of Utah David Eccles School of Business this May. She began her clinical career in Orthopaedic Surgery with the University of Utah.

Katie thrives on bringing people together to drive innovative outcomes and actively seeks challenging experiences that improve care for the benefit of the patients we serve. In her personal time, she enjoys reading, writing, going to concerts and comedy shows, and participating in athletic activities ranging from top golf and social axe throwing to weight training and hip hop dance. She also enjoys spending time with her husband and four children. She is excited about joining our Clinical Programs team and is looking forward to learning what motivates and supporting our teams in Surgical Specialties to Help People Live the Healthiest Lives Possible! 

Katie starts her new role on April 18. We are particularly grateful to Katie Liljestrand’ s for successfully assuming the interim leadership role in the last 5 months. Her steady and strong leadership has helped maintain the momentum on many important initiatives, and she has contributed maximally to our work in that short timeframe.