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When you’re the CEO of a hospital, there’s no average day.
The hospital never closes, for one, and the work is ongoing. But on a more typical day, Andy Guz, named CEO of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center in 2016, says he spends time in meetings and going on rounds through the hospital along with attending board meetings and community events. “I think what I like most about it is it’s never the same,” Guz says. “It’s hard to get into a rut because there are always things that are changing.”
With his rounds, Guz takes a systematic approach. “I make sure at least once I week I’m in nearly every department of the hospital,” he says. He also takes a baked goods approach by bringing trays of cookies that were homemade at the hospital along with him. “The most popular are M&Ms, chocolate chip and macadamia nut,” Guz says. “Those are the three most requested. I usually have a variety.”
Along with the offer of cookies, Guz talks to people working in different departments about what’s going on, what they need to do their jobs well and any problems they might have. After the conversations, he says he tries to follow up as thoroughly as possible. “I’m a big believer in face-to-face communication rather than just sending out an email or a memo,” he says. “It’s harder to do and more time consuming, but I think it comes across better.”
Guz has been at the helm of the hospital during an era of change — it recently underwent a roughly $30 million expansion, and more growth is expected to mirror the growth of the Lakewood Ranch area.
As a leader, Guz says he’s adaptive. “Every person who you’re trying to lead is always going to have different needs,” he says. “I liken it to a coach of a football team. A team has different strengths and weaknesses. You try to play up everyone’s strengths and try to supplement their weaknesses, so we can have the best possible outcome for that person.”
ON THE RECORD: Andy Guz
Age: 38
City of residence: Lakewood Ranch
Employer: Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
Title: CEO
Birthplace: Weirton, West Virginia
Years on the Gulf Coast: Three
Marital status/children: Married with two daughters, Ava and Lana
Alma mater/degree: Cornell University: Master of Health Administration; Marshall University: Bachelor of Business Administration
Where is the best place to network? Anywhere people are having a good time
What's the best business lesson you've ever learned? Surround yourself with smart, driven, trustworthy people.
What's your top tip for being productive? I try to only touch an email/document/task once, making sure it is addressed immediately, so things don't pile up. That also increases the productivity of my team because they aren't waiting on me to make a decision.
What's the weirdest job you've ever had? Ice deliveryman
What community group or organization are you most involved with? Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance
If you could have a side hustle, what would it be? Bartending
What's your favorite off-hours activity? Going to the beach
What's your favorite board game or video game? Super Mario Brothers on the original Nintendo
What's the top item on your bucket list? Months-long traveling throughout the world
Where is your happy place? Siesta Key
What's your favorite podcast? Never listened to one
Who/what is your favorite musical artist/band? Jack White
Who would play you in a movie about your life? Hopefully someone funny
What was your first album/tape cassette/CD? First CD was Nirvana Unplugged
What was your first concert? Red Hot Chili Peppers
What's one song that will get you out on the dance floor? The one my wife likes
What's your favorite karaoke song? Nope, never
What instrument/role would you play in a band? Drums
Please describe yourself in three words. Husband, father and friend
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