One of the loudest sounds in the Winter Strawberry Capital of the world is the South Florida Baptist Hospital helicopter racing to and from its pad on the top of the 60-year-old building. The hospital has grown to add such advancements with superb management and continues to under the leadership of its newest president, Karen Kerr.
When Kerr was 19, she stuffed her suitcase and moved to Florida.
“I moved to Sarasota because I was tired of the winters,” Kerr says. “I needed to find the sunshine.”
She didn’t know that she would one day become the president of a hospital.
For two years she has run the hospital’s day-to-day operations and successfully expanded the facility to add new technology and centers.
FROM NURSE TO PRESIDENT
Originally from the Buffalo, New York area, it was there that Kerr first discovered her passion for the health field and received her RN degree. She moved to the Sunshine State shortly after.
“I packed up all my worldly possessions, which weren’t many at the time, and moved to Sarasota,” Kerr says. “I only knew one person there.”
In 1984, Kerr received her bachelor’s degree in nursing at the University of South Florida and has worked in hospitals ever since.
Kerr began her career as a bedside nurse in the intensive care unit at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. She worked her way up while receiving a master’s degree in business administration from Nova Southeastern University.
Because of her hard work and perseverance, when she came to Plant City in 1990, she received a job that was equivalent to a vice president of nursing.
She also served as director of Patient Care Services at South Florida Baptist.
“I quickly enjoyed being a part of management,” Kerr says.
When the position for president came open after the former president, Steve Nierman, left, Kerr saw her chance. She served as interim president for months before her trial period was up.
In 2014, Kerr was named president.
“The hospital has been part of the community for 60 years, and people in the community are involved in the hospital,” Kerr says.
EXPANSION
Considering Kerr runs the only hospital in Plant City, one can imagine that she has her hands full. Despite her busy schedule, she has big plans for the future.
“(Our goal) is to allow people to not have to leave Plant City for their medical needs,” Kerr says.
Since Kerr was appointed president, the hospital has undergone many renovations and additions.
The waiting room was moved and expanded in 2014. It was a project that allowed for more patients to be seen quicker and more comfortably.
In 2015 two new operating rooms were added, as well as an intensive care unit. They improved the overall functionality of the hospital.
The hospital added a 3D mammography machine, something that women in Plant City previously had to go elsewhere for.
Kerr also aims to add OBGYN specialists.
Notably, the hospital bought a $2 million da Vinci Robot, a technology that improves patient experience during invasive operations. Robotic surgery is safer than traditionally done surgeries.
In all, the hospital’s surgical volume growth has upped 12% and the expansion totals 6,300 square feet.
HER COMMUNITY
Kerr’s passion goes farther than her career. She is active in the community she lives in as well.
Kerr was president of the Tampa Bay Organization of Nurse Executives, chair of the Plant City Family YMCA, president and a Paul Harris Fellow of the Plant City Daybreak Rotary Club and even performed in the 2015 dinner mystery theater production in Plant City.
Her daughter is one of her biggest joys and the reason why Kerr directs a gymnastics competition in Orlando every year.
In correlation with her healthcare background, Kerr exercises nearly every morning and maintains that her health is a passion.
“I say every day, ‘I love what I do,’” Kerr says.” I don’t look at what I do as work.”
About Karen
Who is your hero?
My Dad. He was genuine, patient and the hardest working man I knew.
Use three words to describe yourself.
Independent, optimistic and determined/disciplined.
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
I’m a night person, but I get up very early every day. At 4 a.m. I wake up and go to the gym, and I go to sleep at about 11:30 p.m. to 12 a.m.
What is the weirdest food you’ve tried?
Moose.
What message would you put in a fortune cookie?
Winners expect to win in advance. Life is a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Tips for success?
• Have a passion for what you do.
• Have a strong work ethic.
• Be resilient, and don’t be afraid of failure.
— Abby Baker