We caught up with CEO Ed Jimenez and asked him several questions for this edition of News+Notes. See how to submit your question at the bottom of the page!

I look at military veterans with fondness and awe. By serving our country, they have chosen to spend a portion of their life doing something for others and they typically have to sacrifice time with their family and loved ones to do so. When you look at how long many of these individuals have served, you know they don’t do it begrudgingly. They are making a conscious decision to make sacrifices in their personal lives to protect us. What they do demonstrates a remarkable giving nature and it’s evident in everything they do … and this benefits their colleagues and our patients here at UF Health.

I remember the faculty and staff on “Team A” coming in that day before the hurricane passed through. With backpacks and sleeping bags in tow, none of them seemed to have a concerned look on their face. There was a determination about them. You knew they had worries — they didn’t know how long they might have to stay at work or what would happen to their families and homes — but they didn’t show it. As I looked in their eyes throughout the day, it was apparent they were here because it’s their special calling, something they were meant to do.

Then, as “Team B” arrived to provide relief, they had a similar look of determination about them. Of course, their worries were different. Some had lost power, some had damage to their homes and most probably didn’t get any sleep. But everyone was focused on coming in, relieving their teammates and caring for our patients. It was really a remarkable couple of days. Not for what UF Health did, but for what thousands of my colleagues did.

I’ve learned that our staff and faculty are excited about moving into a new space and they are excited about renovating the old space, and that there is a level of enthusiasm among them that is infectious. It’s like a breath of fresh air. After the doors open, we will be able to speak of the new hospitals as being a part of who we are and what we do, rather than an aspirational hope. That’s really going to lift our sails!