HEALTH SPOTLIGHT: Q&A With Andy Romine, President of Wuesthoff Medical Center – Rockledge
By Space Coast Daily // September 29, 2017
Steward Healthcare recognized as national leader
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Space Coast Daily sat down with Andy Romine, the new President of Wuesthoff Medical Center – Rockledge, to learn more about the direction of the healthcare institution, as he takes the helm under the relatively new ownership of Steward Health Care.
Romine brings a breadth of knowledge and experience, both clinical and administrative, to his position at Wuesthoff – Rockledge.
Before assuming his roles there, Romine served as chief nursing officer of Trinity Medical Center and Grandview Medical Center in Birmingham, AL, for eight years. Prior to Trinity, he served in several clinical and managerial roles at Mercy Hospital in Cincinnati.
Romine earned a master of health services administration degree from Xavier University and a bachelor of science degree in nursing from the University of Cincinnati. Driven by a desire to help others, he began his career in 1998 as a nurse at Cincinnati’s Bethesda North Hospital.
Q: Please describe what this new position means to you and what are your personal feelings, as you take the helm of one of the most important health care institutions serving Brevard?
A: I am honored to be working alongside some of the most impressive medical professionals I have ever had the pleasure of working with. It is humbling to see their self-sacrifice as they work tirelessly to ensure the patients who entrust us with their care are given optimal care.
Wuesthoff has been a healthcare pillar in Brevard County for over 75 years. With that kind of history comes a tremendous amount of experience, and combined with Wuesthoff’s state of the art medical technology, the future is very exciting for our associates and our patients.
Q: How has the transition process been for the team members of Wuesthoff Medical Center – Rockledge and how do you envision the corporate culture of Wuesthoff Medical Center changing under the new ownership?
A: The transition process has been remarkably smooth up to this point. As with any transition, our primary goal has been minimizing disruption to our physicians, employees, and most importantly our patients. Our singular focus moving forward will be to provide the highest caliber patient care possible.
Steward Healthcare is widely recognized as a national leader in implementing a new model of health care delivery which focuses on high quality patient care. It has already been very evident that Wuesthoff will have a supportive corporate partner that encourages and supports the health of the entire community.
Q: In what ways will Wuesthoff Medical Center change going forward and how will these changes manifest themselves in the eyes of the public?
A: Wuesthoff has always focused on the quality and safety of the patients we are fortunate to serve. This focus will intensify moving forward. Hospitals across the country are facing significant challenges as the model of healthcare changes, and we are in a unique position to drive improvements and changes. I am extremely optimistic that this approach will be beneficial and exciting for the residents of Brevard County.
Q: What do you see as the strengths and weaknesses of Wuesthoff Medical Center as it moves forward?
A: At the forefront of the many strengths of Wuesthoff Medical Center Rockledge are the top notch medical staff and healthcare professionals. The caliber of talented personnel combined with the latest in medical technology provide a tremendous foundation for our organization.
Wuesthoff Medical Center Rockledge has the most advanced robotic surgery and electrophysiology cardiology programs in Brevard County. We have embarked on an ambitious goal this year to maximize the safety and comfort of our patients by transitioning our patient rooms from semi-private to private.
The breadth and depth of services that Wuesthoff provides are certainly a strength as well. Our nationally certified and recognized chest pain program, stroke program, and cancer programs speak to our ability to provide the high level of care Brevard County residents expect and deserve.
Q: What is your style of leadership as President and how will it affect the keys to further success for Wuesthoff Medical Center?
A: Having come from a clinical nursing background, I have a unique perspective as a hospital leader. Placing the patient first in every decision we make as an organization is not just a goal of mine, it is how I am programmed. Our goal as a leadership team is to be transparent, honest, and communicative.
We have excellent teams here at Wuesthoff Rockledge and ensuring that staff are heard at all levels is critical to the future success of the organization. Every professional that works here has great ideas on how to improve the safety and comfort of our patients. Our goal is to leverage those to optimize the care we provide.
Q: How do you see Wuesthoff Medical Center in five years? Ten years?
A: I foresee Wuesthoff Medical Center being at the forefront of emerging technologies while focusing on individualizing the care we provide our patients.
I anticipate our focus shifting more toward assuming a greater responsibility for the health of the community we serve, even when that involves focusing outside the four walls of the organization. This is a very exciting time for Wuesthoff and I am excited to be a part of it.
Q: Please describe yourself as a person and let the Space Coast know some things that people might not know about you.
A: As I indicated previously, I am a nurse by training and am very passionate about providing high quality and safe care to every patient that chooses Wuesthoff for their health care needs. I am fortunate to have a wonderful, supportive wife and three boys which I am very proud of. If I am not at work I am spending time with them.
Q: What message do you have for Brevard?
A: Thank you for 75 years of support and we are excited about the future of the organization. Healthcare is transforming and Wuesthoff will be at the forefront of that change. We are aggressively working to improve the services we provide the community, and recognize that we need to constantly work to earn the trust of the lives we are entrusted with.
For more information on Wuesthoff Health System, visit WuesthoffRockledge.org
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