ChildServe Names New Chief Medical Officer as UnityPoint Des Moines Leader Prepares to Depart

October 27, 2026 - 04:50

Dr. Wendy Woods-Swafford will leave her role as chief medical officer at UnityPoint Health Des Moines to take on the same position at ChildServe beginning in January, the organization has announced.

Woods-Swafford has led clinical operations at UnityPoint's Des Moines facilities, overseeing quality initiatives and patient safety efforts across the network. Her departure marks a significant transition for the health system as it searches for a successor.

At ChildServe, a nonprofit that provides specialized pediatric care and support services for children with developmental disabilities and complex medical needs, Woods-Swafford will guide clinical strategy and medical programs. The organization serves thousands of children and families across Iowa through therapy, rehabilitation, and community-based services.

Her appointment comes as ChildServe continues to expand its pediatric specialty offerings and strengthen partnerships with regional health providers. Leaders at the organization said her experience managing large clinical teams and improving care delivery will support that growth.

Woods-Swafford's move also highlights the close professional ties between central Iowa's major health systems and specialty care providers, where physicians and executives often shift between institutions over the course of their careers.

UnityPoint Health Des Moines said it will announce interim leadership plans before her departure and conduct a search for a permanent replacement. Woods-Swafford is expected to begin her new duties at ChildServe in January.