25 March 2026
43. From Bedside Nurse to Hospital CEO: Kelly Nierstedt's Leadership Story
B Student Podcast
About
In this episode of the B Student podcast, Betsy Gardner sits down with Kelly Nierstedt, President of Orlando Regional Medical Center and Senior Vice President of Orlando Health, Orlando Region, to explore what modern leadership really looks like in today’s healthcare environment.
Kelly’s journey to executive leadership was anything but traditional. A first-generation college graduate and former bedside nurse, she never set out to become a hospital president. Instead, she focused on doing meaningful work, treating people with integrity, and saying yes to opportunities that pushed her outside her comfort zone.Throughout the conversation, Kelly shares powerful insights on culture-driven leadership, mentorship vs. sponsorship, building high-performing teams, and why being a “best place to work” is the most important strategic priority in healthcare today. She also reflects on the lessons she learned during the pandemic, why she chose to work on the hospital floor in scrubs when stepping into a new leadership role, and how trust, relationships, and authenticity shape great organizations.If you are interested in leadership, healthcare management, workplace culture, and building trust-driven teams, this episode is a masterclass in what it means to lead with humanity and impact.
Time Stamps:
00:00 Introduction and book announcement
03:20 Meet Kelly Nierstedt and her journey from bedside nurse to president
06:35 How leadership has shifted from hierarchy to human connection
09:40 Saying yes to opportunities and building the right teams
13:00 Why mentorship and role models matter for the next generation
16:20 Leading through the pandemic and understanding staff burnout
19:45 Why culture and “best place to work” is a CEO’s top priority
23:10 The power of sponsorship and supporting new ideas
26:50 Building trust through relationships, consistency, and integrity
30:05 Identifying unconventional talent and promoting future leaders
34:00 Leadership lessons from Orlando Health’s culture strategy
38:10 Final reflections on leadership, sponsorship, and legacy
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Listen to more episodes of The B-Student Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
Like this video, subscribe, and comment your favorite London spot or what city has most transformed you.
Follow Kelly Nierstedt:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-nierstedt-4427a62b/
Website: OrlandoHealth.org
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Connect with Betsy Gardner:
Website: https://www.betsygardner.com/
Learn More about Winter Park Chamber of Commerce: https://www.winterpark.org/
Pre-order your copy of Human in the Room today! Use code BSTUDENT through Friday, March 27 to receive 10% off. Books can be preordered at humanintheroombook.com.
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Podcast produced by Hi Hello Labs: https://www.hihellolabs.com/
Kelly’s journey to executive leadership was anything but traditional. A first-generation college graduate and former bedside nurse, she never set out to become a hospital president. Instead, she focused on doing meaningful work, treating people with integrity, and saying yes to opportunities that pushed her outside her comfort zone.Throughout the conversation, Kelly shares powerful insights on culture-driven leadership, mentorship vs. sponsorship, building high-performing teams, and why being a “best place to work” is the most important strategic priority in healthcare today. She also reflects on the lessons she learned during the pandemic, why she chose to work on the hospital floor in scrubs when stepping into a new leadership role, and how trust, relationships, and authenticity shape great organizations.If you are interested in leadership, healthcare management, workplace culture, and building trust-driven teams, this episode is a masterclass in what it means to lead with humanity and impact.
Time Stamps:
00:00 Introduction and book announcement
03:20 Meet Kelly Nierstedt and her journey from bedside nurse to president
06:35 How leadership has shifted from hierarchy to human connection
09:40 Saying yes to opportunities and building the right teams
13:00 Why mentorship and role models matter for the next generation
16:20 Leading through the pandemic and understanding staff burnout
19:45 Why culture and “best place to work” is a CEO’s top priority
23:10 The power of sponsorship and supporting new ideas
26:50 Building trust through relationships, consistency, and integrity
30:05 Identifying unconventional talent and promoting future leaders
34:00 Leadership lessons from Orlando Health’s culture strategy
38:10 Final reflections on leadership, sponsorship, and legacy
-----------------------------------
Listen to more episodes of The B-Student Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
Like this video, subscribe, and comment your favorite London spot or what city has most transformed you.
Follow Kelly Nierstedt:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-nierstedt-4427a62b/
Website: OrlandoHealth.org
-----------------------------------
Connect with Betsy Gardner:
Website: https://www.betsygardner.com/
Learn More about Winter Park Chamber of Commerce: https://www.winterpark.org/
Pre-order your copy of Human in the Room today! Use code BSTUDENT through Friday, March 27 to receive 10% off. Books can be preordered at humanintheroombook.com.
--------------------------------
Podcast produced by Hi Hello Labs: https://www.hihellolabs.com/