Kayla Tidwell takes the young leader spotlight for Lake and Sumter counties

Kayla Tidwell, executive director of operations at AdventHealth Waterman, has been honored as one of Lake and Sumter Style Magazine’s Top 40 Under Forty Young Leaders.

“We couldn’t be prouder of Kayla for being recognized as a leading professional,” said Abel Biri, president and CEO of AdventHealth Waterman. “Her dedication to health care operations and commitment to improving patient care truly reflect our core values. Kayla’s leadership and passion for service have made a meaningful impact on our patients, team members and the community. We are grateful to have her on our team.”

For nearly eight years, Tidwell has worked for AdventHealth. She has been in her current role for just over a year and has demonstrated exceptional leadership in overseeing five departments with approximately 250 team members across clinical and non-clinical areas.

In the past year, Tidwell has been the driving force behind numerous key initiatives at AdventHealth Waterman, including the expansion of the inpatient rehabilitation unit, the build-out of the second floor of the Mount Dora Medical Plaza to add additional physician office space, and the planning of AdventHealth Waterman’s new medical office building.

Early on in high school and college, Tidwell demonstrated remarkable leadership qualities, consistently stepping up to guide her peers and inspire those around her. From an excerpt in her feature article in Lake and Sumter Style Magazine, she stated:

“... I was class president for my senior year in high school and college... I also hold two bachelor’s degrees, one being in elementary education (I obtained my educator’s license too). If I wasn’t working in health care, I would be a teacher.”

Another interesting fact about Tidwell is she enjoys playing the violin in the AdventHealth Orchestra, which is made up of AdventHealth employees.