Moving forward together: Sandra Randolph on leadership, faith and mentorship

ORLANDO, Fla. — Sandra Randolph began her career in health care by working directly with patients, yet she soon became intrigued by how hospitals operate and the business side of the industry. That curiosity eventually motivated her to further her education.

“While practicing physical therapy, I found myself having more responsibility in a management realm. So, I decided to go back to graduate school,” said Randolph, a retired vice president and current board trustee for AdventHealth’s Central Florida Division. “And that exposed me to hospital administration.”

Sandra’s first leadership role was with Washington Adventist Hospital, which was then located in Takoma Park, Md., where she embraced the challenge of working in a brand-new leadership position. She later moved to Nashville, Tenn., to serve as an assistant administrator at Riverside Adventist Hospital. Shortly thereafter, Randolph was appointed assistant administrator at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. At the time, Vanderbilt Magazine noted she was the first black women in the hospital’s administration.

“You don’t have to prove; you have to perform.” — Sandra Randolph

Throughout her journey, Randolph often found herself in settings where her unique background set her apart. While those moments could be challenging, they also helped shape her perspective.

“For many years, I was, from high school on, the only person in the room that looked like me,” she said. “Female and a woman of color. So, I valued the opportunity but was fully aware of the challenges of the opportunity.”

Despite the difficulties, she remained focused on performance, ensuring that her work spoke for itself.

“You don’t have to prove; you have to perform … That was one of the things I did learn,” she said.

Leadership rooted in community and equity

Randolph’s leadership is all about putting the community first. Her perspective on leading a hospital extends beyond as more than just caring for patients — it’s about it includes understanding all the bigger issues that influence overall wellness.

“As you look at how we are managing health outcomes, you have to look at it from a systemic perspective,” she explained. “And when you see a need, how is that need being met?”

She has worked to ensure that health care institutions focus not only on hospital care but also on the social determinants of health, which affect patient experiences long before they enter a hospital.

The importance of sponsorship and mentorship

For Randolph, leadership isn’t just about personal success — it’s about paving the way for others. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship and sponsorship in advancing the next generation of leaders.

“A sponsor is somebody who is in the room and at the table that you’re not at but will bring your name up,” she said. “There are times where a leadership opportunity doesn’t get posted on a website. But it is being discussed in a small circle of influencers and decision-makers. You want somebody to say, ‘What about so-and-so?’”

She believes leaders have a responsibility to lift others up, ensuring that the doors she walked through remain open for future generations.

“Good leaders develop other leaders. Your responsibility is to make sure you reach back and reach out,” she added.

“The source of my strength is my God.” — Sandra Randolph

Randolph credits her faith as the foundation of her strength and decision-making. Leadership can be isolating, she explained, and there were moments when prayer was her only source of guidance.

“You’ve heard the phrase, ‘It’s lonely at the top.’ There are times where you have really no one that can fully appreciate and understand the choices you have to make,” she said. “Prayer has been my friend, and the source of my strength is my God.”

A legacy of leadership and inspiration

As Women’s History Month celebrates the theme “Moving Forward Together: Women Educating and Inspiring Generations,” Randolph’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, faith and mentorship. She has not only broken barriers in health care leadership but has also ensured that future leaders — especially women and people of color — have opportunities to grow and succeed.

“I am humbled by my journey. I am blessed beyond measure. I am a work in progress,” she reflected. “It has been an honor to be in this space.”