Entrepreneur Speaker Series Features Local Alumnus

Michael “Mike” Schwend will speak at 12:30 p.m. Sept. 10 in the Doug & Diane Villhard Innovation Lab located in the Pickler Memorial Library, as part of the TRU-Entrepreneur Speaker Series.

Schwend is the president and chief executive officer of Preferred Family Healthcare (PFH), headquartered in Kirksville. PFH is one of Missouri’s largest comprehensive healthcare organizations, offering services in addiction recovery, mental and behavioral health, and
integrated health across multiple states. Under his leadership, PFH has expanded significantly, becoming one of the largest community-based healthcare providers in the Midwest. 

In 1983, Schwend earned his Bachelor of Science degree in social science (psychology) from Truman, followed by a Master of Arts degree in counseling and guidance in 1990. He is a former member and past president of the Truman Board of Governors, serving from 2001-07, including roles as secretary in 2002, vice president in 2003 and president in 2004. During his time as a student at Truman, he was actively involved in Alpha Kappa Lambda, Blue Key, The Newman Center, Psi Chi and the Psychology Club.

Schwend served on the White House Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse under President Ronald Reagan, and was recognized nationally by the National Council for Behavioral Health for PFH’s innovative approaches in behavioral health treatment. Additionally, he served on the Missouri Alcohol and Drug Abuse State Advisory Council and the Missouri Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Providers. He received a Governor’s appointment to a purchasing review committee to evaluate the purchase of services by the Department of Mental Health. In 2014, he was appointed to the Missouri Department of Higher Education’s Coordinated Plan Steering Committee to help advance public awareness regarding the issues, challenges, successes and opportunities facing higher education institutions in Missouri.

As a resident of Kirksville, Schwend and his wife Mary Jo (Fitzpatrick) are active in the community and their church. They are also the proud parents of 10 children and 27 grandchildren.