News

If you haven't seen the 'bricks and mortar' first-hand, you'd be as surprised and impressed as the members of Leadership Orlando Class 83 with the state-of-the-art facilities and intellect associated with the Medical City at Lake Nona. But what's most interesting is the story of leadership and collaboration.

A welcome on behalf of Dr. John Hitt, President of the University of Central Florida, and Dr. Deborah German, Dean of the College of Medicine, was presented by Fred Kittinger who serves as Associate Vice President for University Relations & Director, State & Local Government for the UCF. From dream to reality, the overall importance of regional partnerships as well as its potential economic impact on the Central Florida Region is the cornerstone for Medical City.

Instrumental from the very beginning of the development project was Rasesh Thakkar, Senior Managing Director of the Tavistock Group, who set the stage for the day along with Thaddeus Seymour, Jr., Ph.D., Vice President/General Manager of Health & Life Science Investments for the Lake Nona Land Company.

Interspersed in their presentation were a series of "Did You Know" questions with the answers coming as a surprise to class members. For example: Did you know Central Florida had a major life sciences initiative prior to the establishment of Medical City? Answer: Human Performance Institute, since acquired by Johnson & Johnson, is devoted to 'organizations in motion.'

Other surprising answers included the fact that besides FSU, a medical school had not been created from scratch and approved in the United States for a quarter century, Orlando was the largest metropolitan area in the country without a medical school, and Central Florida is the #1 destination in the country for medical meetings. Regarding the new VA Medical Center, 3,500 daily patient visits will take place the day it opens, and it has been selected by the VA as its national site for medical simulation and training.

A panel discussion followed with representatives of each of the Medical City partners who reinforced, at every turn, the importance of partnerships, as well as their commitment to a collaborative structure of Leadership Councils, keeping innovation uppermost in the areas of Operations, Communications, Information Technology, Research, Government Relations and Education.

Representing the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute was Vice President of Administration, Cyril Doucet; who joined Randall W. Hartley, CAO of Nemours; Timothy W. Liezert, Director of the Orlando VA Medical Center; Tony Waldrop, Ph.D., Provost and Executive Vice President, University of Central Florida; and Scott Sumner, Associate Dean for Administration & Finance, UCF College of Medicine. The discussion was facilitated by Shelley Lauten, President of myregion.org, along with Mr. Thakkar.

The afternoon program included behind-the-scenes tours of the College of Medicine and a "windshield tour" of the VA Medical Center construction site.

The class wrap up at the end of the day included comments like:

Thrilled with the vision and drive of Tavistock. This wouldn't have happened without them.

We learned 'how the sausage was made,' what they learned from the loss of Scripps, and that perseverance was key.

These leaders are at the 'top of their game.' They are passionate, inspired and inspiring!

To all of our presenters, panelists and those who made our tours possible, we say Thank You.

If you have been looking for the "right" time to participate in Leadership Orlando, or know someone who should be in the room for these discussions, now is indeed the perfect time to be a part of America's largest Community Leadership program, Leadership Orlando. Preparing for the future of our region is up to each of us. Now is the time to learn about the issues, participate in the difficult conversations and help in guiding our future.

Enrollment is underway for Class 84 which begins in September and will be led by Adrian Jones, General Manager of LEGOLAND Florida. Space is limited, so don't delay! The online enrollment form and the full schedule may be accessed at www.LeadershipOrlando.org. Should you have questions, contact Kathy Panter at 407.835.2499 or via email at Kathy.Panter@ideastoresults.org.

About Leadership Orlando
Developing regional leaders is important to the future success of the Central Florida Region. That is why "Regional Leadership" is a primary line of business for the Central Florida Partnership. With over thirty years of proven success, Leadership Orlando, America's largest "Community Leadership Program," continues to recruit, cultivate and encourage emerging leaders to better serve the Central Florida Region.

Working together with Orlando, Inc., (Regional Entrepreneurship), BusinessForce (Public Policy Advocacy), and myregion.org (Regional Research & Resolves), the Central Florida Partnership is moving "Ideas to Results."

Click here to learn more about Leadership Orlando
Click here for a listing of the 2012 Leadership Team