Swedish Health Services announced Monday that it has appointed Jennifer Graves, chief executive officer of Swedish Ballard, as the interim CEO of Swedish Edmonds. Graves will begin work in her new role on Jan. 1, 2015, with the retirement of current CEO David Jaffe.

“Anyone who has worked with Jennifer knows that she is a passionate advocate for our patients, families and caregivers,” said Anthony Armada, FACHE, president & CEO of Swedish Health Services in a press release issued by Swedish. “I have great confidence that she will do a tremendous job leading Swedish Edmonds just as she has with Swedish Ballard.”

In her new role, Graves will lead all administrative and clinical operations at Swedish Edmonds. She will also continue to serve as CEO of Swedish Ballard, where she has spent more than five years successfully leading work to revitalize the campus through quality, safety, operational and facility improvements. Graves continues to be one of the institutions most respected nurse executives, the announcement said.

“It has been a privilege to be a member of this incredible team at Swedish and I am grateful daily for such meaningful work,” said Graves. “I am excited to support our campus and caregivers in Edmonds and look forward to fulfilling our goal of creating healthier communities together.”

Graves began her local career in health care more than 25 years ago at the University of Washington Medical Center and worked as a board certified nurse practitioner for two decades. Prior to her tenure at Swedish, she served on the leadership team at Virginia Mason Medical Center. Graves has been a professor in the nursing programs at both Seattle Pacific University and Northwest University.