Swarts goes the distance for UNMC, earns Gold U

It’s been his longest — and most rewarding — race.

For the past 32 years, Keith Swarts has gone the distance to help propel UNMC into the world’s elite academic health science centers.

“I want to do my part to put UNMC on the map,” said Swarts, who received this month’s Chancellor’s Gold ‘U’ Award for his steadfast work and dedication.

Director of business services since 1985, Swarts is responsible for the support functions for UNMC printing services, bookstore, mail services, risk management, real estate, rental property, travel, Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT), parking and homeland security.

It’s no small task, but one in which Swarts excels.

Meet Keith Swarts Title: Director of business services Job responsibilities: Responsible for the support functions for UNMC printing, mail services, bookstore, risk management, real estate, rental property, travel, Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT), parking and homeland security. Joined UNMC: April 1, 1974 One day I’d like to: Fund a $1 million endowment for the SHARING Clinic. Greatest personal achievement: Running five marathons in one year, including three – Paris, London and Lincoln — all within three weeks.

Said his nominators: “(We) have heard our chancellor say ‘Ask a person who is really busy to do something, and he will get it done.’ Keith Swarts is one who fits that description. He is always willing to help/take charge to get things accomplished, whether it is a part of his position or just the fact that it benefits the medical center people directly or indirectly. ‘Let’s get it done’ seems to be Keith’s motto.”

From hosting UNMC’s annual Night of a Thousand Stars party to taking third-year family medicine students to Jamaica to acquiring land to grow the campus, Swarts has had a hand in shaping UNMC’s long range plans, as well as its ties to the community.

His commitment to UNMC reaches well beyond his day-to-day responsibilities. Those who know him best cite a laundry list of accomplishments including “his involvement with the building of the Ronald McDonald House, the acquisition and operations of Potter House, being on the Henry Doorly Zoo drive committee for over 25 years, his active involvement in the student-run SHARING Clinic, serving on other community boards and organizations, his willingness to mentor summer interns and developing employees to give them the chance to grow.”

When Swarts joined UNMC in 1974, he worked in Conkling Hall with the medical center’s $9 million budget. Today, that building has been replaced by The Lied Transplant Center, and the medical center budget stands at approximately $418 million.

“The changes on this campus have been awesome,” Swarts said. “We’re major players in the world in health care and research. It makes one proud to say you work here. There’s no need to go to Houston or Mayo. We can do it all right here.”

Upon graduating from Nebraska Wesleyan University and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Swarts spent five years teaching high school business and accounting in Nebraska and Iowa, before joining Western Electric as an internal auditor. When the company wanted to relocate him to New Jersey four years later, the Elmwood, Neb., native declined.

That’s when he came to UNMC. “I met Del (Lee) and it all came together,” Swarts said. “It’s a great place to work,” he said, citing the medical center’s camaraderie and flexibility, as well as the fact that people genuinely value and care for one another. “Del and I have worked as partners the last three decades,” he said.

Swarts enjoys the diversity in his job. “There’s no set routine,” he said. “Everyday is a new adventure and a new learning.”

Said his nominators: “Keith’s involvement in any project gives others who work with him an opportunity to learn through that project. He calls those ‘learning opportunities.’ ”

Overall, Swarts manages about 75 people in the support functions he directs. “I have good managers,” he said, whom he tries to see weekly and at monthly staff meetings. “I give them the tools, resources and direction and then it’s their operation to oversee.”

An outdoorsman, Swarts is an avid runner, biker, hiker and Rollerblader. He began his endurance training at the family-owned rollerskating rink and has completed 32 marathons – covering nearly 834 miles. In June, he’ll add 26.2 miles more when he runs Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minn. In addition, he cherishes the Colorado fourteener climbs (mountains exceeding 14,000 feet in elevation) he has had with UNMC’s Mike McGlade.

His fifth-floor office in UNMC’s Administration Center is, as he describes a “pretty bizarre” collage of marathon posters, neon signs, colorful yo-yos, rock concert posters and framed photos of his world travels. “You spend most of your awake time here so you have to have fun,” Swarts said, admitting to an occasional hallway hockey game or football toss with co-workers.

The father of a UNMC endocrinology fellow, Swarts is devoted to elevating UNMC at every turn. “I’ve been very fortunate to have resources in my life,” Swarts said. “I’ve taken out of society, and this is my opportunity to give back.”