SANFORD—Wendy Brandon's finger is squarely on the pulse of the community served by Central Florida Regional Hospital. Every day, she seeks opportunities to remind area residents about the "gem in their own backyard."

 

"It's really important for residents in the Orlando market to understand we're the only full-service hospital in Seminole County and western Volusia County," she said. "We don't have helicopters flying out with our patients to get services elsewhere. We have the top-notch specialists and most sophisticated technology. It's the only community hospital offering tertiary services. All of these things really drew me to this hospital."

 

Some of the hospital's specialized services include The Heart Institute, The Neurohealth Sciences Center, Emergency Department, Hyperbaric Medicine and Wound Care, The Baby Suites and Women's Services and CyberKnife stereotactic radio surgery.

 

Since Brandon took the CEO post on Sept. 8, 2008, she has begun developing relationships with the hospital's medical staff and physicians in the community.

 

"I was also attracted to Central Florida Regional Hospital because the medical staff has a very positive reputation for clinical expertise and quality patient outcomes," she said. "Our relationships with physicians in our community are so important. A key part of my job is to understand the needs of physicians and their patients. Then I must ensure our hospital is delivering on those key things. In my relatively short time in this community, I have found our medical staff to be very passionate about quality patient care above all else. That makes my job much easier because we share an important common goal."

 

When asked about employing physicians, Brandon explained, "We only consider employing physicians if it makes sense for both parties. We're flexible with opportunities. Doctors are critical thinkers. Some are entrepreneurial and would not want to be employed. Others aren't really interested in the business side of medicine. They just want to take care of patients. In those situations, if their goals and the hospital's goals are in alignment, then employment may be a really good strategy."