Craig Oswald will join Southwest Health System at the chief medical services officer on Aug. 1, according to spokeswoman Haley Saunders.

Oswald, who has worked as a practice administrator in Irvine, California, first came to Cortez as a consultant with Kinmon Healthcare Group in 2014. He completed his bachelor’s degree in business administration as an accounting major at Idaho State University and is a certified medical practice executive. He worked in health care consulting and has extensive experience in practice management.

Oswald has worked in large and small organizations, including Critical Access Hospitals and has experience in financial management of medical practices, Saunders said in a press release. He also has worked as an interim CFO and controller.

“Craig has worked closely with organizations in their strategic planning, physician recruitment, contracts, financial management, operations, EMR solutions, and budgeting,” Saunders said. “He looks forward to working closely with providers and SHS team members to work through gaps and find opportunities to better serve our community and one another.”

Oswald is originally from Shelley, Idaho, and lived in Idaho during his youth. He and his wife, Wendy, have three children: Thea, who lives on Oahu; Joshua, a recent high school grad; and Boaz, who enters high school this fall. His family will relocate to Cortez with him.

Oswald has lived in Portland, Oregon, for 25 years. He said he enjoys outdoor activities, golf, road biking and fishing.