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Let’s Connect:

ACHE of South Florida

Spotlight

ACHE of South Florida

Member Spotlight:

Ralph Rios,
Vice President of Professional Services,
West Kendall Baptist Hospital
and Vice President of Academic Affairs,
Baptist Health South Florida
Ralph Rios

BY VANESSA ORR land my first job in performance
improvement at South Miami Hospital,”
When Ralph Rios, FACHE, commits to said Rios, who later became the hospital’s
something—either personally or profes- assistant vice-president.
sionally—he goes all in, whether it’s sky- After 15 years at South Miami, Rios
diving, scuba-diving, piloting a plane or moved to West Kendall Baptist Hospital as
providing the highest level of care to its vice-president, where he worked with
patients at Baptist Health facilities. CEO Javier Hernandez-Lichtl. “We were
“When I’m involved in an activity, I here a year before the hospital opened and
want to reach the highest level of certifi- took it from eight to 800 employees,” said
cation/accreditation available,” he Rios. “We had to hire everyone, plan for
explained. “That’s why I join the associa- lines of service, bring on medical staff,
tions or organizations that support those select a board, create policies and proce-
activities and take an active role.” dures, and ensure that everything worked
As the vice president of professional safely and effectively. It was fast and furi-
services at West Kendall Baptist Hospital ous, but very exciting.”
and vice president of academic affairs for Five years ago, Rios began wearing a
Baptist Health South Florida, Rios knows second hat, training nurses, physicians
the importance of continuing education and therapists at the Baptist Health
and networking with peers. He also Center for the Advancement of Learning
understands the value of long-term rela- where he now serves as its vice president
tionships, having worked for the Baptist of Academic Affairs.
Health network for the past 26 years. “I feel that it’s extremely important to
“I started with Baptist Health as a be engaged and involved in any organiza-
physical therapist right out of college,” tion in which you have an interest,” said
he explained. “During my time at South Rios, who also mentors individuals in
Miami Hospital, I was encouraged by the the Baptist Health System.
department director to consider a career For this reason, Rios joined the
in healthcare administration. American College of Healthcare
“I was impressed by the fact that the Executives (ACHE) soon after obtaining
decisions he made, while not necessarily his master’s degree, and has since served
popular with employees—like working on the board and held various positions
more weekends—were the right deci- with the goal of bringing services to
sions for patient care,” he continued. “I ACHE members. He also became a
had always hoped to make a significant Fellow of the organization.
impact on patient care, but hadn’t real- “I believe that the Fellow credential
ized that someone in administration demonstrates my commitment to the
could do that by directing the services of profession,” he explained. “When others
those providing hands-on care.” see it, they not only know that I am an
Rios, who earned his bachelor’s degree advanced professional, but it acts as a
in physical therapy from the University conversation piece.
of Florida, decided to pursue a master’s “Talking about it encourages nonmem-
in health services administration from bers to get involved, and helps remove
Florida International University. “I was some of the mystique behind it and the
fortunate to work under South Miami perceived barriers for members who might
Hospital CEO Wayne Brackin during my be considering it,” he added. “While chal-
administrative residency, and he provid- lenging to earn, it is achievable.”
ed a lot of guidance, and also helped me

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