In recognition of his four decades of health care leadership, Advocate Health co-CEO Jim Skogsbergh received the American Hospital Association’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award.
The award honors Skogsbergh’s commitment to transform the industry by driving safety and quality, population health and value-based care, and innovation and technological advances. His impact extends across more than 20 years at the helm of Advocate Health Care, Advocate Aurora Health and now Advocate Health, as well as through decades of service to the AHA and other industry organizations.
“We had a saying during the pandemic: ‘Faith over fear, calm over chaos’ – and that really embodies Jim,” said Michele Baker Richardson, chair elect of Advocate Health’s Board of Directors. “His vision has always been about doing work that matters.”
To advance that work of delivering the best health outcomes while making care more accessible and equitable, Skogsbergh oversaw the 2022 creation of Advocate Health through the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. He will serve alongside Advocate Health co-CEO Eugene A. Woods until Skogsbergh’s retirement in mid-2024.
“This award holds special meaning because the AHA is the catalyst behind our professional partnership and personal friendship – and, in a way, the creation of Advocate Health,” Woods said. “It’s a well-deserved honor that reflects Jim’s long-term commitment to advancing equitable care and health for all.”
Previously, Skogsbergh led Advocate Aurora Health, the largest health system in Illinois and Wisconsin, since 2018 and served as President and CEO of Advocate Health Care since 2002. Under his leadership, Advocate Aurora Health was renowned for its clinical accomplishments, technological innovation, workplace culture and safety excellence.
“Jim embodies what it means to be a transformative leader, always motivated by providing the best quality care for each patient who walks through Advocate Health’s doors,” said Rick Pollack, AHA president and CEO. “He approaches challenges and opportunities with the perspective of a servant leader. His work has had an impact on the national, regional and local levels and will be felt for years to come.”
Longtime colleagues note that Jim has always championed collaboration as the key to accomplishing Advocate Health’s mission of providing equitable care to all.
“It’s awesome to work with Jim,” said Bill Santulli, President, Advocate Health – Midwest Region. “He’s a phenomenal leader on so many levels and absolutely believes in the power of team.”
“He wholeheartedly believes that you hire great people with great strengths—and then you let them soar,” added Kelly Jo Golson, Advocate Health’s Chief Brand, Communications and Consumer Experience Officer. “He has always encouraged partnership, collaboration and openness as we support patients.”
Skogsbergh’s career in health care administration dates back to 1982, when he started as an administrative resident at Memorial Health System in South Bend, Ind. He attributes his dedication to improving care quality, safety and outcomes to the influence of his mother, a longtime nurse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
“A long time ago, we decided we wanted to be known for superb quality and safety—and we’ve accomplished that,” Skogsbergh said. Throughout the journey, “I’ve been able to come to work every day and do important work with people I love. What more can you ask for?”
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About Advocate Health
Advocate Health is the fifth-largest nonprofit integrated health system in the United States – created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois, Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama, and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health serves nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs nearly 150,000 team members across 67 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides nearly $5 billion in annual community benefits.