15 Seattle Nonprofit Hospital Leaders Earn $1-Million or More

Leaders at 15 nonprofit hospitals in the Seattle area earn seven-figure salaries, the public radio station KUOW reports.

Eight of the million-plus salaries went to executives at Seattle’s Swedish Medical Center, according to 2007 Internal Revenue Service filings. Another three dozen executives at the region’s tax-exempt hospitals were paid $500,000 to $1-million.

Linda Arkava, a nurse and union representative at Swedish Medical, which had laid off 200 office staff members this year, said the executive pay reflects the “reality” of the health-care industry, adding, “Whether we like it or not, they do have to have competitive salaries.”