Patricia Rosello: Registered nurse becomes Baptist Hospital’s new CEO

Patricia Rosello said she never expected to be the CEO of a hospital, having started her career as a registered nurse over 30 years ago. Ms. Rosello is a self-described risk-taker and takes on every challenge presented to her. As opportunities presented themselves, she took them. “People saw things in me that I didn’t see at first in myself,” Ms. Rosello said. 

In her first few weeks as CEO of Baptist Hospital, Ms. Rosello says she is taking the time to reacquaint herself with hospital operations after serving as the CEO of Baptist Outpatient Services for the past 16 years. To keep patients happy, the hospital culture must motivate and inspire its physicians and staff, Ms. Rosello says. 

She is zeroing in on what makes Baptist employees get up in the morning and be eager to come to work: “we need to make sure we keep doing the things that make people want to work here,” she said. Just as important, Ms. Rosello says, is clearing existing obstacles keep all performing their best. 

The hardest part of her job is keeping everyone on the team prepared to serve and care for patients, she says. Providing care isn’t just about quality services, but helping patients overcome their worst fears. “Nobody wants to come to us, so when people do come to us, it is because they need us. We have to be here for them.” 

While hospitals will always have to worry about the bottom line and navigate new regulations, Ms. Rosello says she tries not to let it drive her crazy. If she can oversee a hospital that provides consistent, quality care, then she has done her job well, she says: 

“I get emotional because this is my passion,” Ms. Rosello said. “We care for people at their worst and if I can leave a caring organization behind, I will have done the greatest thing I could have done.”

Miami Today reporter Gabi Maspons interviewed Ms. Rosello at Baptist Hospital in Kendall. The interview was recorded by Jahmoukie Dayle, and can be found Friday at http://bit.ly/2uNHy0Q.

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