Women’s History Month: Reflections on being a woman leader in health care

AdventHealth Kissimmee CEO Sheila Rankin recently spoke with El Sentinel Orlando about her role as a leader in the health care industry as we celebrate Women’s History Month.

During the interview with the Spanish-language newspaper, Rankin shared that learning to celebrate shortcomings is key to success.

“There is a phrase that I have read, and I am sure that many people have also seen, that says ‘If a person has never failed, that means they have never tried something new.’ “ Rankin told the newspaper. “In life one should not be afraid of failures.”

Rankin wanted to study medicine, but her plans shifted, and she went to school for business administration and computer information systems.

“Perhaps I heard correctly that God was calling me to serve communities and I thought it would be as a doctor, but I ended up in the administration side of the organization,” she said.

Rankin has been with AdventHealth for 15 years, starting her career in the finance department and rising to become the CEO for AdventHealth Kissimmee. Under her leadership the campus has undergone major expansions to better serve the community, including the recent $84 million expansion of the inpatient tower which includes 80 new private rooms and the ability to provide crucial services for residents in Osceola County.

In celebration of Women’s History Month, she emphasized that “we have the opportunity to thank them, and to celebrate women who have contributed positively to our community, so that many of us have a better life and better future.”

Read the full article at El Sentinel Orlando.