ST. GEORGE — Mitch Cloward has been named president for the Desert Region and will oversee all operations for the health care system’s Southern Nevada and Southwest Utah markets.
According to a news release issued by Intermountain Health, Cloward has been serving as Intermountain Health’s market president for Desert South Utah and as president of St. George Regional Hospital.
He brings 20 years of Intermountain experience to this position. His first job in health care was working as a housekeeper in the intensive care unit of a large hospital, and his diverse background has given him broad and deep experience in insurance, physician practice management and hospital operations.
“I assure you I will continue to work extremely hard to make sure that everyone has the best access, affordability and highest quality of care across our region – and continue to build upon the great work Intermountain is leading in our communities,” Cloward said in the news release.
“I am profoundly grateful for the tremendous opportunity I have to continue my career at Intermountain in a new role as Desert Region president, and I’m excited for the innovation and growth in services we are able to bring to the populations we serve,” he added.
Cloward, who began his new role on July 24, joined Intermountain Health in October 2002 as an operations director for Intermountain’s Medical Group. In 2006 he advanced to become the hospital operations officer guiding surgical services, neurosciences, rehabilitation and lab, and serve as on-site administrator of Dixie’s 400 East Campus. He became the administrator for both campuses in 2017.
“Mitch’s leadership has forever changed for good the quality, access, and affordability of healthcare here in Southern Utah,” Cyndi Gilbert, St. George Regional Hospital Governing Board chair, said in the news release. “I’m thrilled for his selection in this new important role, as we seek to improve and expand vitally needed, quality healthcare services beyond the Utah border.”
Cloward has served in many community capacities, including trustee for Utah Tech University and board chair for the Dixie Applied Technology College. In 2015, the St. George Chamber of Commerce recognized Cloward with the “Innovator of the Year” award.
Evan Vickers, who serves as the Senate Majority Leader in the Utah Senate, lauded Cloward’s selection.
“Mitch is the perfect person to lead the Desert Region forward through unprecedented changes and growth,” Vickers said. “He understands sound principles and has the drive and the heart to bring about the best. He’s an exemplary leader and has a work ethic second to none. I appreciate Mitch’s service and am glad for his appointment as the Desert Region president.”
Cloward holds a master’s degree in health care administration from Texas Woman’s University. Cloward and his wife, Jennifer, are the parents of five children and grandparents to Olive and Russell. Cloward loves spending time with family, mountain biking, trail running, mogul skiing, going off-roading in his Jeep and spending time at Bear Lake.
“As his colleagues and our leadership team can attest, Mitch embodies our mission, our innovative spirit, and our commitment to caregivers and patients,” Rob Allen, president and CEO of Intermountain Health, said in the press release. “With deep roots in the communities we serve and a mastery of strong healthcare operations, he is the right person to lead our Desert Region.”
Brad Gillman, a spokesperson for Intermountain Health, said a search is “in motion” for Coward’s replacement to run St. George Regional Hospital.