Message from the President

Time passes. Things change.

It’s as inevitable as the arrival of spring. So, what’s your reaction? Does this season make you wistful? Or, does it make you hopeful? Maybe it’s so predictable that you don’t even stop to think about it anymore.

Whatever your reaction, spring signals a time of new opportunities.

If you’ve been part of the Lakeland team for any time at all, you’ve seen continuous change. New strategies, goals, partners, services, buildings, and technologies.

But I believe one of the most poignant changes we encounter as an organization is when we have to say goodbye to familiar faces, and welcome new ones. It happens, of course, just about every day in organizations across the globe. Each departure brings a little sadness, and each new arrival brings a new sense of hope.

This spring we will say goodbye to three of Lakeland’s senior leaders. That’s a lot of change in a short period of time. We will miss Dr. Eileen Willits, David Burghart, and Dr. Karen Kinyon. They have served the needs of Lakeland and our community with dedication and distinction. They will be leaving us with many fond memories.

Since the announcement of their departure, we have used this opportunity to rearrange senior leadership responsibilities a bit.

Kendall Troyer assumed his new role as Vice President of Organizational Excellence and Quality on March 20. Over the past 22 years he has served in a total of eight management and leadership roles in the laboratory, the Center for Outpatient Services, electronic health record, Lakeland Medical Practices, and other outpatient and post-acute areas. Kendall is committed to leading Lakeland’s efforts to ensure exemplary outcomes in every service that we provide. He brings his critical thinking, project management, and collaboration skills with him to his new role.

Brandi Smith-Gordon will assume her new role as Vice President of Philanthropy and President of the Lakeland Foundations in mid-April. Brandi has national and international experience in media and communications. She has served Lakeland over the past year as Director of the Lakeland Foundations. She will assume responsibility for the largest capital campaign in Lakeland’s history as we build the new Pavilion on the Lakeland Medical Center campus. I am confident that Brandi will use her professionalism, passion, and persuasion to successfully connect our community with the needs of Lakeland and those we serve.

Natalie Baggio will join us in late May as Lakeland’s Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nurse Officer. I am certain that you will appreciate Natalie’s energy, engagement, and innovation when you get a chance to meet her. I am very grateful to Debbie Lull, Executive Director of Clinical Operations and Nursing Quality who will serve as the acting CNO between Eileen’s departure and Natalie’s arrival.

As we enter this new leadership chapter for Lakeland please join me in welcoming and assisting our appointed leaders in their new roles.