Hospital president and UR alum recognized as a health care champion
Alumni
When Andrea Gwyn first arrived on Richmond's campus in 2003, her goal was to become a physician. By the end of her second semester as a biochemistry major enrolled in demanding pre-health and science courses, she quickly learned two things about herself — she had no passion for organic chemistry and couldn't stand the sight of blood.
A Career Services counselor suggested Gwyn examine her interests more closely to determine the next steps in her college journey. Through this process, Gwyn discovered her strong inclination toward business and strategy.
"I made the choice going into my sophomore year that I would switch my major and attend the Robins School of Business," Gwyn said. She recalled a conversation with a business major who told her that this coursework would also be challenging, so she needed to make sure it was something she wanted to pursue.
Coming in a year behind the other business majors was difficult, but Gwyn excelled in her coursework, completing double concentrations in finance and accounting. "I discovered that I loved it," she said.
Gwyn moved several times in her youth, living abroad in South Korea and Germany, before arriving in Richmond. Her father, now a retired colonel, served in the Army, while her mother was a vice president at various finance and accounting firms. When Gwyn began considering colleges, she knew she would thrive at a liberal arts school. A visit to the UR campus for an interview sealed the deal.
She graduated in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in business administration and enrolled in Virginia Commonwealth University's Master of Science in Health Administration program, completing it three years later.
Embracing a calling
At just 39 years old, Gwyn has worked in health care operations for several health systems and hospitals for over 15 years. She credits her success to the confidence instilled in her by her parents, the exposure and academic rigor of UR, and the mentorship of her professors, including Robert Graboyes, who helped guide her into the world of hospital management.
After switching majors, one of the first business courses she took was health administration, taught by Graboyes, a professor of economics and quantitative methods. The class immediately captured her interest, partly because it was her first time hearing about health administration.
"Although I no longer wanted to be a doctor, I realized I still felt a calling to be in health care. It really opened my eyes to where I could land professionally," she said.
During her junior year, Graboyes became her mentor, connecting her to the head of VCU's hospital administration department, which ultimately led to an internship at a nonprofit focused on health care.
Gwyn's first job after completing her undergraduate and graduate studies was in Nashville, Tennessee, as an administrative resident for HCA Healthcare, one of the largest for-profit health care companies in the country. Within eight years, she was promoted to chief operating officer of Terre Haute Regional Hospital in Indiana.
Leading with purpose
Gwyn has dedicated much of her career to improving the financial performance of hospitals, developing strategic plans, and cultivating hospital personnel. In 2018, she launched her own consulting company, Gwyn Global Consulting, which put her on the radar for other opportunities.
By 2021, she became the inaugural president of Ohio’s Mercy Health–Perrysburg Hospital, where she helmed the opening of the county's first cardiac catheterization laboratory, which facilitates treating those with cardiovascular conditions. The project was completed on time and on budget.
She is currently the president of Mercy Health St. Anne Hospital and the Sylvania Medical Center, located in Toledo, Ohio. Recently, she was recognized by the nonprofit organization 20 Under 40 Toledo and awarded for her work as a young community leader —a leadership style she describes as collaborative and mission-driven. Each day, she strives to be a change agent in health care and supports those on the front lines. She also successfully positioned the hospital to handle increased patient volumes following the closure of another local hospital.
"I think about how I can create sustainable change and improve our workflow, ensuring that personnel have the necessary equipment and tools to make their days efficient," she said. "If I have a great employee experience and a great physician experience, then my patients can have a great experience, which leads to excellent outcomes.”
Gwyn is built differently. She sets a goal and achieves it, even if that requires a pivot along the way.
"Can't was not a word I was allowed to say growing up," Gwyn said. "That made me feel limitless at a very early age, which has continued for me today. We all have been given a gift from God, so I fully believe that if I'm sitting at a table, I'm supposed to be there."