WENDY H. BRANDON

CEO, UCF LAKE NONA HOSPITAL, ORLANDO

Brandon has led the development and operation of UCF Lake Nona Hospital, Central Florida’s fifth HCA Florida Healthcare hospital, since its inception in 2018. It opened in 2021 and has 525 staffers and more than 600 physicians on its medical staff. The hospital is also a vital part of the growing Lake Nona community, supporting wellness events, partnering with schools and nonprofits, and hosting a variety of educational and family activities to encourage healthy living.

EDUCATION: University of Tennessee (BS), Belmont University (MBA)

FIRST JOB: At 16, I started my first three jobs simultaneously: I worked on Saturday mornings at the soda fountain in a family-owned pharmacy, and after my shift ended, helped count pills to fill prescriptions. At the same time, I was working in the pro shop at a golf club and served on the Dillard’s Teen Board.

DREAM ALTERNATE CAREER: I would love to be an anesthesiologist.

SOMETHING SURPRISING: I was a bone marrow donor. I matched with an unknown recipient through NMDP (formerly Be The Match) and donated to the patient twice.