Orlando, FL (February 23, 2010) - Orlando Health's Board of Directors, led by Chairman Linda Chapin, has selected Sherrie Sitarik as the next president and CEO of the organization. Mrs. Sitarik will succeed John Hillenmeyer, whose retirement becomes effective the end of the year.
"The vote followed a 14-month succession planning process following John's announced plans to retire," said Mrs. Chapin. "During this period, we updated the strategic plan, conducted focus groups internally and with key constituencies and developed a role profile of the ideal candidate. After this very deliberate process, we evaluated Sherrie as the internal candidate and felt that she exemplified the qualities, characteristics and experience necessary to lead an organization the size and scope of Orlando Health into the future."
Mrs. Sitarik has served as executive vice president and chief strategy officer for Orlando Health since 2008. In that role, she was responsible for leading the organization's strategic planning process, including its ten-year strategic vision and plan, which was adopted by the board in 2009. Mrs. Sitarik's extensive executive experience also includes roles as president of Orlando Regional Medical Center/Lucerne Pavilion, vice president/patient care executive of acute services for the corporation, executive director of Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Women, and administrator for patient care at Arnold Palmer Hospital. Mrs. Sitarik has been with the organization since 1978, starting as a graduate nurse in the neonatal intensive care unit at Orlando Regional Medical Center.
"I am honored by the board's decision and the trust placed in me to lead Orlando Health," said Mrs. Sitarik. "The future of our industry will be both challenging and exciting as we continue the work of delivering extraordinary healthcare to this community."
The board will work with Sherrie and John on a smooth transition to ensure the organization continues to provide the highest quality of care for patients and maintains a strong financial position to allow it to be a provider of choice in Central Florida.
"John Hillenmeyer is to be commended not only for the gift of time to allow us a smooth transition but also for identifying Sherrie's talents and positioning her as his successor," adds Mrs. Chapin.
Orlando Health will continue to move forward with strategic planning initiatives that benefit the community and enhance its already strong position as a regional healthcare provider. It will continue to work with numerous partners in the community and its medical and professional teams will continue to provide the best care available to patients.
About Orlando Health
Orlando Health is a $1.5 billion not-for-profit health care organization and a community-based network of hospitals and care centers in the Orlando region. The organization, which includes the area's only Level One Trauma Centers for adults and pediatrics, is a statutory teaching hospital system that offers both specialty and community hospitals. They are: Orlando Regional Medical Center; Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children; Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies; Dr. P. Phillips Hospital; South Seminole Hospital; South Lake Hospital (50 percent partnership); St. Cloud Regional Medical Center (20 percent partnership) and M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Orlando - the first affiliate of one of the nation's premier cancer centers The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Orlando Health's areas of clinical excellence are heart and vascular, cancer care, neurosciences, surgery, pediatric orthopedics and sports medicine, neonatology, and obstetrics and gynecology.
Orlando Health is Central Florida's fifth largest employer with nearly 14,000 employees and more than 2,000 affiliated physicians, all of whom support our philosophy of providing high quality care and service when it matters most. We prove this everyday with over 100,000 inpatient admissions and more than 600,000 outpatient visits each year. In all, Orlando Health serves 1.6 million Central Florida residents and nearly 3,000 international patients annually. Additionally, Orlando Health provides approximately $198 million in support of community health needs. More information can be found at www.orlandohealth.com.