UCF and AdventHealth Florida presidents on building a diverse talent pipeline in Central Florida

08/24/23 • 26 min

Central Florida is struggling with labor shortages like most of the nation. Investing in the workforce of the future now is crucial. Randy Haffner, president and CEO of AdventHealth Florida, and University of Central Florida (UCF) President Alex Cartwright believe innovation, collaboration and lifelong learning will be powerful tools in solving this challenge. “We need to be a dynamic learning community,” Haffner said.
In this episode of the Inspiring Wholeness podcast, presented by AdventHealth in partnership with the Orlando Business Journal, Haffner and Cartwright share the major investment they’re making to build a diverse talent pipeline in Central Florida and what role businesses can play.
“If we want to make a difference and strengthen the quality of health care, academia and industry must work together,” Cartwright said. “Partnerships with leaders like AdventHealth ensure we are preparing highly skilled, talented graduates and conducting the most impactful research.”
Listen to this episode to learn more about:

Tackling labor shortages by tapping into the power of collaboration among different industries, organizations and community members.
The combined $10 million investments AdventHealth and Orlando Health are making in the UCF College of Nursing.
What this huge investment will fund, from nursing scholarships and research to part of the construction for UCF’s new academic building in Lake Nona.
The community’s broad-based prosperity and how it depends on having talented nurses, doctors, engineers, teachers, health care professionals, etc.
How offering continuing education opportunities to employees improves their quality of life and earning potential for generations.
Why it’s important for businesses to build cultures that support lifelong learning.

AdventHealth has provided whole-person care for 115 years. Today, our services, including cancer, cardiac, neurosurgery, orthopedics and a dedicated women’s and children’s hospital are rated among the nation’s best. Learn more at feelhealthyfeelwhole.com.
Disclaimer
AdventHealth and the Orlando Business Journal are providing this podcast as a public benefit. This podcast is not intended to be a substitute for any professional advice or medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of AdventHealth or the Orlando Business Journal policy. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by AdventHealth or the Orlando Business Journal. The views expressed by our guests are their own. Their participation in the podcast does not imply an endorsement by them or any entity they represent. AdventHealth and the Orlando Business Journal hereby disclaim any and all liability to any party for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, special, incidental or other consequence of damages, arising directly or indirectly from any use of the content in this podcast, which is provided, as is, and without warranties.

Tackling labor shortages by tapping into the power of collaboration among different industries, organizations and community members.
The combined $10 million investments AdventHealth and Orlando Health are making in the UCF College of Nursing.
What this huge investment will fund, from nursing scholarships and research to part of the construction for UCF’s new academic building in Lake Nona.
The community’s broad-based prosperity and how it depends on having talented nurses, doctors, engineers, teachers, health care professionals, etc.
How offering continuing education opportunities to employees improves their quality of life and earning potential for generations.
Why it’s important for businesses to build cultures that support lifelong learning.

Previous Episode

Youth in crisis: AdventHealth physician and United Way president on the state of mental health in Central Florida

Since the pandemic, there’s been a substantial increase in the number of children coming through health care facilities with mental health and behavioral issues, according to Dr. Rajan Wadhawan, senior executive officer for AdventHealth for Children and AdventHealth for Women. They are showing signs of anxiety, depression and self-harm.
“There’s so much unmet need in this area (mental health). We have to provide the support and resources children and their families need to make sure the future world looks better than what we’ve seen over the last few years,” Wadhawan said.
In this episode of the Inspiring Wholeness podcast, presented by AdventHealth in partnership with the Orlando Business Journal, Wadhawan and Jeff Hayward, president and CEO of Heart of Florida United Way (HFUW), discuss Central Florida’s youth in crisis and educating them on how to stay mentally healthy.
HFUW and AdventHealth are long-time partners and have joined forces again. This time they’re tackling the stigma around mental health through a public awareness campaign called Be a Mindleader, according to Hayward.
Listen to this podcast episode to learn more about:

Florida’s low ranking for access to mental health care (49th out of 50 states in the country).
The average number of local calls coming into United Way’s 211 call center for help.
What’s being done about the extreme difficulty to get an appointment with a local mental health practitioner.
The need for families to normalize conversations about mental health so kids can talk about their struggles, from the stress of social media to homework or bullying.
Teaching children healthy habits to be mentally and physically fit.
The Be a Mindleader campaign, a $1 million investment to get Central Floridians comfortable talking about mental health.
Other efforts designed to connect people with a variety of mental health resources.

To connect with a pediatric mental health navigator, find suicide and crisis prevention resources or learn more about your child's mental health well-being, visit beamindleader.com.

Next Episode

Inspiring women leaders of Central Florida share DEI lessons: “Be courageous and fierce”

Audrey Gregory, Ph.D., R.N., president and CEO of AdventHealth's Central Florida Division, North Region, joined Gaby Ortigoni, president and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando (HCCMO), to discuss women in leadership, in this episode of the Inspiring Wholeness podcast, presented by AdventHealth in partnership with the Orlando Business Journal.
When asked to give aspiring women entrepreneurs and leaders advice, Gregory said, “Fair is not an option.” Women must be “courageous and fierce” when planning where they want to go professionally and personally.
Ortigoni believes companies have a huge responsibility to support professional development so people learn “how to work in difficult situations, negotiate, speak in public and present yourself in a crowd when most of the people are different than you — whatever that may mean.”
Listen to this episode to learn more about:

The significance of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) for women leaders.
Common struggles women face, from imposter syndrome to not feeling prepared to pursue an opportunity.
Recruiting efforts to bring more diverse businesses to the area.
Hosting the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce National Conference in Orlando.
Benefits organizations can expect when they prioritize women in leadership and DEI as a whole.
Practical steps organizations can take to build a culture that supports gender equality.
How to get rid of unconscious biases.
The role male mentors have played in their careers.