For Kevin and Robyn Edgerton, serving at AdventHealth was about more than just a job. It was about fulfilling a calling.
Nearly 50 years ago, Kevin Edgerton and Robyn Edgerton (née Blair) were teenagers working in the nutritional services department at Adventist Health Portland, a member hospital of our sister system on the west coast.
Robyn was a cashier and Kevin worked in the dish room and delivering food trays. Those early days became the starting point of a lifetime of service for the couple. Now, they celebrate their retirement together.
“I started my career with Robyn and I’m ending my career with Robyn,” Kevin said. “That to me is indicative that our experience has been a life journey, not just a series of jobs.”
The Edgertons have served at several Seventh-day Adventist hospitals throughout their journey, mostly in AdventHealth.
Fresh out of college, Kevin was hired as a staff writer in the PR department at AdventHealth Orlando (known then as Florida Hospital Orlando). He was involved in several branding processes for the organization.
First, by helping create the Florida Hospital logo in the mid 1980s and later by developing a naming architecture for Florida Hospital entities. Years later when he was working at the Adventist Health System corporate office, he was involved in the company’s transition to one unified, systemwide brand: AdventHealth.
Robyn’s journey led her to the mission and ministry department, where she helped shape programs like CREATION Life and Week of Spiritual Renewal.
And while Kevin’s focus was on the rebrand process, Robyn and her team spearheaded a project called the Legacy Celebration, a year-long recognition of the 150th anniversary of the founding of Adventist health care.
The highlight of the celebration was a special program held at Calvary Orlando Church where past and present executives and team members gathered to honor our rich heritage and ongoing commitment to the mission.
Robyn’s appreciation for this history is very personal to her, as her own family has served in Adventist health care for generations. Growing up, she almost always lived near a hospital. On family vacations, they would go out of their way to visit a facility.
“For my family, it’s never been about a job – it’s who we are,” Robyn said.
That legacy continued when Robyn and Kevin had their own kids. Their children grew up knowing the people that their parents worked with and attending company events. One of their favorite childhood memories is eating vegetarian corn dogs at the cafeteria at AdventHealth Orlando.
And today, one of them is a nurse at AdventHealth.
“My parents’ careers at AdventHealth inspired me from an early age,” said Jenna Edgerton, RN, assistant nurse manager at AdventHealth Altamonte Springs. “I remember as a child going to events and programs that they were a part of and seeing how they interacted with people. They taught me that people are more important than product, and to always care for those around me. I am so proud to be their daughter and to represent their legacy!”
Robyn and Kevin credit several mentors for their growth and development at AdventHealth.
Robyn is grateful to Dick Duerksen, her first boss in the mission department, and to Ted Hamilton, senior vice president and chief mission integration officer, and Jay Perez, vice president of mission and ministry.
Kevin said Sandra Johnson, who recently retired from her role as chief administrative officer, was a mentor who was directly engaged and involved in his path.
He also named CEO Emeritus Tom Werner, whose legacy Kevin said is still felt in the organization today.
Over the course of their careers, the Edgertons have witnessed tremendous growth at AdventHealth. As they move into retirement, they hope to see the organization continue to grow and encourage team members to grow their careers with it. Their advice to team members is to be open to new opportunities and to develop and nurture relationships with people in different areas.
As for their part, Robyn and Kevin look forward to spending more time with family, reading and traveling after a lifetime of meaningful work.
