James B. McCormick, MD
Founding Chairman

When Dr. McCormick joined the medical staff of Swedish Hospital in 1957 as Director of Laboratories, his first assignment was to develop Advanced Laboratory Technology for Swedish Hospital in the then new Diagnostic Wing of the main building. In the 49 years since this first appointment, Swedish Hospital has been transformed by the extraordinary service and tireless efforts of Dr. McCormick. His exemplary leadership and spirit of compassion continues to guide the Hospital in advancing a healing environment.

The Medical Staff elected Dr. McCormick as its President in 1969 and he has served on its executive committee until 2005. During this time, his innovative ideas brought international recognition to Swedish Hospital after he invented the Cryostat Frozen Section for intraoperative surgical diagnosis. The Hospital was also among the first to install Technicon Automation to Clinical Chemistry, now advanced to Computer operated Robotic operation. He led the design of the East Wing Laboratory in 1978 and participated in building a computer-assisted laboratory that served clinics and doctors’ offices from South Chicago to Rockford during the 1970’s.

The Swedish Hospital Board of Directors called Dr. McCormick to serve as President/CEO in 1983. As president, Dr. McCormick was instrumental in the development of a long range strategic operations and building plan that laid the foundation for the present advancements of the Hospital campus. Anchored by the acquisition of the Chapin Hall Land and Buildings in 1984, the campus of Swedish Hospital grew quite literally overnight under his leadership. The purchase orchestrated by Dr. McCormick included five acres of land on which the Galter LifeCenter and the Galter Medical Pavilion were later built. Chapin Hall became The James and Suzanne McCormick sponsored Childcare Center, which has graduated several thousand employee and community children during its twenty plus years of service.

In addition to his service to Swedish Hospital, Dr. McCormick was the Chairman of the Galter LifeCenter from 2004-2008. It was in this capacity he directed the most recent expansion of the LifeCenter.

Dr. McCormick remains committed to furthering the mission of Swedish Hospital as the Chairman of the Swedish Hospital Foundation and Chief Scientific Officer.

Dr. McCormick lives in Lincolnwood with his wife Suzanne, and their children were born at Swedish Hospital.