Susan Toadvine Appointed CHRO at Orlando Health Midwest

Orlando Health, which has aggressively expanded its footprint with major acquisitions in Alabama and Puerto Rico, has announced a significant leadership appointment in its human resources division. Susan Toadvine has been named Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) for the Midwest Region. This position underscores the healthcare organisation’s focus on strategic workforce development as it enters new markets beyond its Florida origins.

The appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Orlando Health. The system, which currently operates across Florida, Alabama, and Puerto Rico with 25 hospitals and a workforce of over 38,000 employees, is navigating one of its most ambitious growth phases in recent years. For Toadvine, the role represents both a major career milestone and an opportunity to shape organisational culture at scale in a transforming healthcare environment.

“This is a significant move for Orlando Health,” said a healthcare industry analyst familiar with the system’s strategic direction. “As healthcare organisations expand regionally, they need HR leaders who understand both large-scale operations and how to build cohesive cultures across diverse markets. Susan’s background positions her well for this.”

A Supermarket Giant that Became a Healthcare Leader

Toadvine’s path to her new role spans nearly two decades in workforce leadership across two major organisations renowned for strong corporate cultures.

Her most recent position was Vice President, People and Culture at Publix Employees Federal Credit Union (PEFCU), where she led the organisation through a transformative period. During her tenure, Toadvine spearheaded people strategy initiatives, guided organisational culture development, and oversaw employee engagement programs—the kind of behind-the-scenes work that defines how employees experience their workplaces.

But her deeper roots lie at Publix Super Markets, where she spent nearly 15 years building her expertise in talent management. Publix, one of the largest employee-owned supermarket chains in the United States, provided Toadvine with experience managing workforce challenges at a considerable scale. As Director of Associate Relations and Talent Acquisition, she navigated the complexities of hiring, developing, and retaining talent across multiple locations while maintaining the company’s reputation as one of America’s best employers.

“What stands out about Susan’s background is the consistency,” noted a human resources consultant who has followed her career. “She’s spent her entire professional life focused on what makes organisations tick, the people side. That’s not common in someone making the jump to a healthcare system.”

Read more – Honeywell Strengthens Global Leadership with Appointment of Jennifer Reilly as New Chief Human Resources Officer

The Skills Healthcare Systems Need Now

The healthcare industry faces mounting workforce pressures. Staffing shortages, burnout among clinical and administrative staff, and the challenge of attracting talent in competitive markets have made experienced HR leadership more critical than ever. Toadvine brings several competencies that address these exact challenges:

Talent Acquisition and Retention  

Her 15 years at Publix taught her how to attract and keep quality employees in a competitive labour market. Healthcare systems need this expertise desperately.

Organisational Culture Development: 

Building strong workplace cultures doesn’t happen accidentally. Toadvine’s demonstrated ability to shape culture, particularly during transformative periods, matters as Orlando Health integrates new facilities and teams.

Employee Engagement 

Engaged employees perform better, stay longer, and create better patient experiences. Her track record suggests she understands how to drive meaningful engagement programs.

Workforce Development 

Beyond hiring, Toadvine has shown expertise in developing talent internally, building leadership pipelines, and creating pathways for employee growth.

“Healthcare’s biggest challenge isn’t technology or facility capacity, it’s people,” said another industry observer. “Susan’s appointment signals that Orlando Health understands this and is investing accordingly.”

Education and Professional Foundation

Toadvine brings both practical experience and formal credentials to the role. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising from Florida Southern College, an unusual foundation for HR leadership that speaks to her interest in communications, positioning, and influence.

Her MBA in Human Resources from Saint Leo University represents formal study in her field. The combination suggests someone who approached HR not just as a function but as a strategic discipline worth formal study.

“The advertising background is interesting,” noted a career development specialist. “It suggests she understands messaging, brand, and how to communicate organisational values. In HR, that’s increasingly important. You’re marketing your company as an employer as much as you’re managing people.”

What the Market Says

Orlando Health’s investment in this appointment comes as healthcare organisations nationwide grapple with workforce challenges. The healthcare sector remains one of the fastest-growing employment areas in the U.S., but talent competition is fierce. In the Orlando region alone, the healthcare sector accounts for 12.8% of the workforce, with over 193,100 professionals working in healthcare and related services.

For a system like Orlando Health, competing for talent in both Florida and the Midwest requires strategic HR leadership. Toadvine’s appointment signals that the organisation recognises this competitive reality and is making senior-level HR appointments to match its expansion ambitions.

“This is a statement of priorities,” said an industry analyst. “Smaller healthcare systems might fill this role with an internal promotion or a lateral move from another healthcare system. Orlando Health is bringing in someone from outside healthcare with deep organisational culture expertise. That’s not a cost-cutting decision, it’s a growth investment.”

About Orlando Health

Founded in November 1918, Orlando Health operates 25 hospitals, 11 freestanding emergency rooms, and 17 urgent care centres across Florida, Alabama, and Puerto Rico. The system, led by President and CEO David Strong, manages approximately $7.6 billion in assets and employs over 38,000 healthcare professionals.

Orlando Health Network, the system’s clinically integrated network, expanded significantly in 2025 with new initiatives throughout the Central Florida region and into East Coast and Central Alabama markets. The system operates on a not-for-profit basis and focuses on delivering advanced patient care, clinical excellence, and community-centred healthcare services.