Kathy Swanson’s name is closely associated with Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies, both nationally and throughout the Central Florida community - and for good reason. She began her career in 1977 at Arnold Palmer Hospital as a NICU nurse and her passion for its mission and patients has never waned.

The team has received numerous honors throughout the years under Kathy’s leadership. The most notable achievements are well documented:

• The planning, development and opening of Winnie Palmer Hospital in 2006, which was the first free-standing hospital in Central Florida dedicated to the care of women and babies. Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies has become the largest Women’s and Children’s Hospital in the U.S.; houses the largest NICU under one roof; and is the second largest delivery hospital.
• In 2013, the Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies hospitals were awarded the gold standard in nursing, the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program®. Fewer than 400 out of a potential 6,000 U.S. healthcare organizations are recognized with this honor.
• Most recently, U.S. News & World Report ranked Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in its 2017-2018 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings. It is the only hospital in Orlando to be given this designation for eight consecutive years.
• Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies received Center of Excellence designation in Perinatal Care by the Joint Commission.
• Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children received Top Children’s Hospital rating and Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies received Top Teaching Hospital from The Leapfrog Group.
• Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies is designated an Academic Center of Excellence for Minimally Invasive Surgery as well as an Academic Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery.

Thank you, Kathy. We cannot put in to words our appreciation for your many years of hard work and determination to make Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies what it is today.