Forty Under 40: Michael Stewart

Michael Stewart has been quick to embrace his new home and new job.

Recruited in 2006 by Northwest Health System’s parent company, Community Health Systems, Stewart accepted the administrator position at Northwest Medical Center-Springdale in January. He previously was CEO of a hospital in Barstow, Calif., managing the completion of an $80 million facility.

Besides leading about 1,000 employees in Springdale, he’s overseeing a $12 million, 30,000-SF emergency room expansion.

With a stepfather in the military, Stewart lived in many cities growing up.

After earning a mechanical engineering degree in 1998 from Texas A&M, he served for four years as a captain in the U.S. Air Force. That service included overseeing commercial contract projects worth $100 million annually.

While earning an MBA at the University of Texas, Stewart was torn between a career in education or health care.

“I chose health care because it was service oriented,” he said. “I felt it provided the best opportunity to blend my business skills with my operations skills.”

Stewart’s bought a home in Springdale and is exploring opportunities to serve.

 “My main focus is to continue to learn and grow,” he said. “I truly enjoy life and all it has to offer. Especially in the business I’m in, I see how quickly it can change.”