1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.

I come to Delray Medical Center from Novant Health UVA Health System where I served as the chief executive officer. While there, I designed and implemented the functional organization of the system including cultural integration, branding and financial turnaround. I developed the system’s long term strategic quality and growth plans in a highly competitive market and established partnerships with regional payers to create opportunities for value based care.

Prior, I was with Memorial Health in Savannah where I served as president and CEO since 2011. I joined Memorial in 2004 as vice president of finance and managed care and became Memorial’s chief operating officer in 2005.

As CEO, I expanded the on-campus medical school and physician residency programs, in partnership with Mercer University School of Medicine, to improve the region’s medical education opportunities. I worked collaboratively with the medical staff to grow Memorial’s clinical services, including trauma, specialized surgery, heart and vascular and oncology.

I executed a $140 million capital plan that included a children’s hospital and the implementation of Epic. In 2016, Becker’s Hospital Review named me one of its “135 Nonprofit Hospital and Health System CEOs to Know,” as well as one of “130 Women Hospital and Health System Leaders to Know.”

I am a graduate of Florida State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature. I then received my Masters of Business Administration from St. Leo University.

I have a husband, two children a 14-year-old son, Ryan, a 12-year-old daughter Bailey, a 1-year old Wheaton Terrier, Cooper and a bunny.

We are native Floridians, my husband and I. We love the water and we love to fish. I am thrilled to be here. Florida is my home and I have a great love for the state.

2. What are you most looking forward to you in your new role?

I am excited to be at Delray Medical Center. It is a privilege to be here. I have been very impressed with the level of care we provide this community. My goal is to continue to develop our programs and add new services and improve and expand the level of care we provide.

3. What are the top 3 priorities for you and Delray Medical Center?

1. Over my first 100 days, my goal is to meet people, build relationships and understand the lay of the land.
2. Service is one area that we can focus on and how we can improve our service.
3. And I want to develop a near term and long term plan. We want to expand on our reputation of excellence, what does that look like in a year and in 5 years?

4. You majored in English. How did you wind up in hospital upper management?

I majored in English and Humanities as well. I initially intended to go to law school. I had applied and i was on my way. I met my husband at Florida State and he got a job before I did. I abandoned my dream and got a job at a hospital. I had worked in accounting during school. I had to work to help put myself through school. With my qualifications, I landed in a hospital. I found it fascinating. I was interested in the work that was being done. It was meaningful work. It just kind of stuck so I just went back to school and got my MBA. I have seen a lot of different ways to how health care is provided. I landed in health care and I am really glad that I did. I am excited to get up and go to work every day.

5. You are also the new Palm Beach Group CEO for Tenet Healthcare. What does that mean?

We have five acute facilities and other urgent cares and surgery centers. My goal is to help us act more cohesively as a network of care. Share best practices and improve our approach to services and become more efficient. Take the great work that is done at all these different sites and have us work as a comprehensive network. All the hospitals have CEOs and they all have accountability to me. We will partner together to build a care delivery network that is second to none.