Congratulations to 40 Under 40 Winner: Elizabeth Rochaine, Chief Operating Officer, Wellington Regional Medical Center
Get To Know Elizabeth:
Age (as of December 31, 2023): 34
Hometown: Indian Harbour Beach, FL (current city: Wellington, FL)
Alma Matter: Vanderbilt University, University of Florida
Number of Years of Experience in Healthcare: 10
Someone You Look Up to in the Industry: Besides my CEO, Pam Tahan,
Favorite Hobby: Traveling and exploring new cities
Favorite Movie of All-Time: Gattaca
Favorite Band or Musician: The Beatles
Your Favorite thing about healthcare: Continually learning and solving complex problems and being able to leave lasting impacts on communities served
Why is this candidate a good fit for 40 under 40?
Elizabeth continually demonstrates her commitment to innovating in an effort to improve healthcare for the community. Elizabeth’s strength is having the vision to see novel paths that create better outcomes. This started in grad school when she created a dual Audiology/MBA program and was the first student to complete it. She stands out for this award as well because of the combination of her clinical and administrative backgrounds and expertise. Elizabeth started her career in the field of Audiology and received a Master of Science Degree from the #1 Program in the US, Vanderbilt University. At Vanderbilt, she had a variety of clinical placements that allowed her to work with physicians, clinicians, and patients and understand multidisciplinary perspectives. This experience has allowed her to be innovative in her thought process and continue to push limits to provide the best results possible for the community. At each of her organizations, and in the community, Elizabeth continually pioneers and launches new programs and services. This was exemplified by leading a multi-disciplinary team that consisted of surgeons, oncologists, nurses, and other clinical members that successfully launched the first Comprehensive Lung Program in Palm Beach County in 2017. This program serves Palm Beach County in early identification of patients with lung nodules and provides them with timely treatment and follow-up. Elizabeth also introduced new service lines in Tallahassee including Transaortic Valve Replacement, a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility. These programs provided increased access and choice to residents of Tallahassee, South Georgia, and South Alabama. Elizabeth always involves staff and physicians in launches and ensures buy in so that efforts are sustained. She also shows innovation with community partners. Under her leadership, Elizabeth has strengthened the partnership with the Butterfly House, a resource center for victims of domestic violence, and Wellington Regional. Elizabeth has also served on a variety of boards and committees including as a Commissioner on the Tallahassee/Leon County Commission on the Status of Women & Girls and served on the Healthcare Committee which recommended policy changes to increase the presence of Mental Health Experts in Leon County Schools. She also oversaw one of the busiest Intensive Outpatient Programs for both adults and adolescents in Tallahassee, providing mental health access to residents. At The George Washington University Hospital, she launched the “Flu Prevention Convention”, a mass flu clinic that vaccinated over 1000 employees and students in a single day. Elizabeth always looks for ways to bring improvements and drives her team to be innovative as well. As a young leader, Elizabeth has discovered the importance of partnering with key influencers and subject matter experts to provoke thoughtful conversations and effect meaningful, lasting change. Her passion and commitment to excellence is unparalleled and her potential to continue to make lasting impacts on the communities she serves is vast.
Explain this candidate’s professional accomplishments:
Elizabeth Rochaine is an exceptional individual with an unwavering commitment to excellence. She stands out for her remarkable achievements and contributions in the pursuit of improving the patient experience and providing quality care. With a strong track record of outstanding results, Elizabeth has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and a dedication to making a positive impact throughout her career. As the Chief Operating Officer at Wellington Regional Medical Center, Elizabeth has displayed exemplary operational and strategic oversight, leading various departments and spearheading the expansion of programs and services to meet the needs of the growing community. Under her guidance, the hospital was awarded the NCDR Chest Pain – MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award from the American College of Cardiology. She also has led the record growth in robotic surgery during Q1 and Q2 2023, and she successfully established key partnerships with physician groups to expand service lines, including NICU Subspecialists, Interventional Cardiology, and OB/GYN. In addition, she has launched programs in collaboration with physicians including the Pulmonary Embolism Response Team. During her tenure as the Chief Operating Officer/Ethics & Compliance Officer at HCA Florida Capital Hospital, Elizabeth showcased her exceptional leadership and business acumen. She oversaw major construction projects and service line expansions, totaling over $75 million including the opening of a 25,000 square foot Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility, NICU, Neuro Bi-Plane, and Freestanding ER. She also spearheaded the launch of the Transaortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) program. Her efforts resulted in substantial improvements, such as increasing Surgery Physician Engagement Scores from 11% to an impressive 80% and launching the Intrafacility Transport Team, which led to significant annualized savings. This was all while leading COVID-19 response efforts, including providing testing for the Florida House of Representatives and Senate. Elizabeth's impact extends beyond the organizations she has served. As an Associate Administrator at The George Washington University Hospital, she provided oversight for critical departments, including Imaging, Laboratory, Pharmacy, and Transfusion Services. Her commitment to enhancing patient care and driving process improvement is evident in her leadership of Imaging process improvement projects, which achieved a remarkable 20% reduction in ultrasound turnaround times. Furthermore, she conceptualized and led the Annual GW Hospital Flu Prevention Convention, a highly successful mass flu clinic that served over 1,000 employees in a single day. Elizabeth's impressive educational background, including a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in healthcare, further bolsters her ability to make informed decisions and drive organizational success. She has been recognized for her achievements, notably being inducted as a Forte Fellow during her MBA studies at Vanderbilt University. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Elizabeth actively engages in community and civic leadership. She contributes her time and expertise to organizations such as the Forte Foundation, Junior League, and various advisory boards. Her commitment to giving back is evident through her involvement with Relay for Life, Hands on Nashville, and other charitable initiatives. In summary, Elizabeth Rochaine stands out as an exceptional leader in healthcare administration, possessing outstanding leadership skills, an unwavering commitment to excellence, and a proven track record of achievements. Her ability to drive operational and strategic initiatives, forge key partnerships, and deliver exceptional results sets her apart. With her exceptional skills, dedication, and passion for improving healthcare delivery, Elizabeth continues to make a lasting impact and serves as a valuable asset to the organizations and communities she supports.
How does the candidate show commitment to the industry and bettering their professional career?
When not busy accomplishing professional achievements, Elizabeth is committed to the healthcare industry and ensuring success for others. She enjoys mentoring in multiple capacities, having served as a Forte Foundation MBA Launch Advisor for women interested in pursuing MBAs, being a Vanderbilt Alumni Interview for prospective students currently in high school, and an American College of Healthcare Executive Mentor. As a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), Elizabeth dedicates herself to continually learning about trends in the industry and committing herself to improving her community based on this information. Earning the FACHE credential signifies that Elizabeth has a lifelong commitment to change and improvement and is board certified in healthcare management. She is actively involved in the South Florida American College of Healthcare Executives and serves in important leadership capacities that have influence in shaping healthcare in the community. As a Trustee of the Central Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce and a Leadership Palm Beach County Class Member, Elizabeth works with other leaders to ensure continued professional success. In Tallahassee, Elizabeth served on the Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU) Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) Advisory Board and lectured to MHA students about healthcare careers and the healthcare industry. She continues to serve as a valuable resource for students who need guidance and mentorship.
