Saint Alphonsus appoints Tony Swart as Administrator of Baker City Medical Center 

Baker City resident and native Eastern Oregonian Tony Swart has been named Administrator of Saint Alphonsus Medical Center-Baker City.  

In this new role, Swart will be a key leader for the medical center and outpatient services in Baker City, with an emphasis on providing greater local support of the facility’s day-to-day operations.  

As a native Eastern Oregonian born and raised in Enterprise, Swart has strong personal ties to the region and the rural communities Saint Alphonsus serves. Swart and his wife, Anna, are ingrained in the Baker City community. Anna is a Speech and Language Pathologist for the Baker 5J School District, where their children also attend school.  

Swart began his career with Saint Alphonsus in 2007. He has served in several departments, including Pharmacy, Finance, and Operations, developing a deep understanding of healthcare delivery in rural communities.   

Swart is a passionate advocate for rural healthcare who has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to ensuring that our Eastern Oregon communities have access to exceptional care.  

Swart assisted in the growth of the rehabilitation and cardiology programs in Baker City, increasing patient access and enhancing service offerings to meet community needs. He successfully helped recruit multiple family medicine and specialty providers to Baker City, ensuring greater access to high-quality care for patients. He has also established key partnerships with local organizations to improve health outcomes, strengthen community engagement, and enhance service coordination.

“Tony’s dedication to patient-centered care and a positive work environment has been instrumental in the recent growth and success of our Eastern Oregon ministries,” said Dina Ellwanger, President of Eastern Oregon for Saint Alphonsus Health System. “Tony’s ability to gather people around a shared purpose and his passion for rural healthcare make him the ideal leader for this important role. I am excited about working with Tony in this expanded role and confident that under this new leadership structure, the Baker City Medical Center will continue to thrive and set new benchmarks for excellence.”  

“It is a privilege to lead our talented team,” Swart said. “Every day, I witness their passion for the people they serve and the community they call home. I am proud to call Baker City home, and I will focus on ensuring our community receives the quality healthcare it deserves.”

Through 127 years of service, the Saint Alphonsus Medical Center-Baker City has built a rich tradition of compassion and warmth that continues to radiate throughout our community.

From primary care to emergency visits, the nearly 200 colleagues, physicians, and advanced practice providers employed by Saint Alphonsus are deeply committed to the health of their community. In FY 2024 alone, the Baker City medical center provided care for 7,685 emergency department visits, 30,877 outpatient hospital visits, and 7,388 outpatient clinic visits.

As a Catholic, faith-based, not-for-profit health care system, Saint Alphonsus reinvests in the communities it serves through charity care and other benefits. The goal is to improve the health and well-being of people by emphasizing care that is patient-centered, physician-led, innovative, and community-based.