Episode
43. From Bedside Nurse to Hospital CEO: Kelly Nierstedt's Leadership Story
- Podcast
- B Student Podcast
- Published
- Mar 25, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2429
- Processing state
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Summary
In this episode of the B Student p odcast, Betsy Gardner sits down with Kelly Nierstedt , President of Orlando Regional Medical Center and Senior Vice President of Orlando Health, Orlando Region, to explore what modern leadership really looks like in today’s healthcare environment. Kelly’s journey to executive leadership was anything but traditional. A first-generation college graduate and former bedside nurse , she never set out to become a hospital president. Instead, she focused on doing meaningful work, treating people with integrity, and saying yes to opportunities that pushed her outside her comfort zone.Throughout the conversation, Kelly shares powerful insights on culture-driven leadership, mentorship vs. sponsorship, building high-performing teams, and why being a “best place to work” is the most important strategic priority in healthcare today . She also reflects on the lessons she learned during the pandemic, why she chose to work on the hospital floor in scrubs when stepping into a new leadership role, and how trust, relationships, and authenticity shape great organizations.If you are interested in leadership, healthcare management, workplace culture, and building trust-driven teams , this episode is a masterclass in what it means to lead with humanity and impact. Time Stamps: 00:00 Introduction and book announcement 03:20 Meet Kelly Nierstedt and her journey from bedside nurse to president 06:35 How leadership has shifted from hierarchy to human connection 09:40 Saying yes to opportunities and building the right teams 13:00 Why mentorship and role models matter for the next generation 16:20 Leading through the pandemic and understanding staff burnout 19:45 Why culture and “best place to work” is a CEO’s top priority 23:10 The power of sponsorship and suppo…