Her Story
About Desiree
Desiree Sweeney, MBA, is the Chief Executive Officer of NEW Health, a rural healthcare organization dedicated to delivering accessible, equitable, and whole-person care across northeast Washington. With more than 25 to 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry, she has built a career rooted in service, operational excellence, and a deep commitment to improving community health outcomes. She began her journey in healthcare as a dental assistant in a clinical support role, where she developed a strong foundation in patient care, teamwork, and the importance of compassionate service delivery.
She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry, strengthening her clinical and scientific understanding of healthcare systems. Her career then expanded into the pharmaceutical industry, where she worked as a pharmaceutical sales representative for approximately five years. In this role, she developed expertise in healthcare strategy, provider engagement, and relationship management, further broadening her perspective on the full continuum of care. This combination of clinical, scientific, and business experience positioned her for executive leadership within community health.
Desiree later joined NEW Health as Chief Operations Officer, where she spent four years leading organizational operations, strengthening systems, and supporting growth across integrated medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services. Her leadership and vision led to her appointment as Chief Executive Officer, becoming the first female CEO in the organization’s history since its founding in 1978. In 2021, she launched NEW Health University, an innovative and nationally recognized workforce development initiative designed to build internal talent pipelines, expand career pathways, and strengthen rural healthcare sustainability. Today, she is known for her strategic leadership, workforce innovation, and unwavering commitment to developing people, strengthening communities, and advancing rural healthcare access.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Desiree
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a consistent commitment to serving others and doing the right thing in every situation. I strive to always help people and approach my work with integrity, ensuring that I act in the best interest of those I serve, work alongside, and support. By staying grounded in purpose, maintaining strong values, and focusing on collaboration doing the right thing by people, for people, and with people I’ve been able to build trust, foster meaningful relationships, and achieve lasting results.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to stay grounded in purpose, maintain your standards, and not lose sight of yourself in the process. Work will bring challenges and long days, so it’s important to find joy in what you do and appreciate the meaningful moments along the way. When you can show up with positivity, resilience, and a willingness to keep learning, you not only grow professionally but also build a career that feels fulfilling and sustainable over time.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in the field are also the greatest opportunities, depending on how they are approached and overcome. Healthcare is a constantly evolving, dynamic industry where decisions directly impact and support those who provide care for patients. Navigating regulatory changes, operational demands, and increasing complexity requires adaptability and collaboration, but it also creates space for innovation, improved systems, and more effective ways to serve both providers and patients.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life center on integrity, empowerment, and service. I am a master problem solver who focuses on building critical thinkers rather than simply solving problems for others, with the goal of helping people grow, become more capable, and succeed independently. I am committed to doing the right thing by people, for people, and with people in every interaction. Coaching softball also plays an important role in my life, as it keeps me connected to the community while reinforcing discipline, resilience, teamwork, and leadership—values I carry into everything I do.
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