AdventHealth has named Rob Deininger president and CEO for the Central Florida Division’s quaternary hub, which includes AdventHealth Orlando, AdventHealth for Women and AdventHealth for Children. Deininger will assume his role on Nov. 9 and report to Jennifer Wandersleben, CEO of Acute Care Services for the Central Florida Division – South Region.
Deininger replaces Brett Spenst, who recently accepted a position as care division finance officer with Adventist Health, a Roseville, California-based health system serving more than 80 communities on the West Coast and in Hawaii.
“It’s been an absolute privilege leading the team at AdventHealth Orlando, especially through a global pandemic. Time and again, our team members rise to the challenge, and I’m inspired by their resiliency. Compassionate, whole-person care has extended beyond patients and families to our colleagues, and I’m proud of the way this team cares for each other. While this decision was driven by the desire to be closer to our children and grandson, I’m thankful to count this team as family, too,” said Spenst.
Spenst joined AdventHealth in March 2019. During his tenure, he has demonstrated tremendous leadership and made significant contributions to the development of the Orlando market. Additionally, Spenst provided oversight for AdventHealth Global Missions, which is made up of 10 international footprint locations around the world. Spenst served as the executive sponsor for AdventHealth’s footprint in Nepal.
“It’s bittersweet to see Brett leave the organization but I know he will continue to be a leader driven by his calling, compelled by compassion and fueled by his passion to make a difference in the communities he’s been asked to serve,” said Wandersleben. “I wish Brett all the best as he starts his journey back west and I look forward to seeing Rob step into his new role and support the continued delivery of faith-based, whole-person care in the Orlando market.”
Deininger has been with the organization since 2010 and most recently served as president/CEO for AdventHealth Fish Memorial, a 179-bed acute-care hospital located in Orange City, Florida. During his time there, he’s helped to grow and expand services through investments like a new hospital-based offsite emergency room located in Deltona, as well as a 140,000-square-foot expansion of the Fish Memorial campus, which is set to be complete in April 2021.
Since March 2020, Deininger has also served as the incident commander for AdventHealth’s COVID-19 System Command Center, which the company stood up to organize its systemwide response to the pandemic. He provided oversight to a multidisciplinary team of leaders overseeing systemwide supply chain, human resources, clinical operations, information technology, finance, communications and marketing.
“I’m so grateful for the leadership Rob’s provided this year as we’ve navigated the impacts of COVID-19. His ability to work a problem and build consensus was instrumental in moving the organization through critical phases of the pandemic. He is a dynamic, mission-led leader and I know that his unique background will serve him well in advancing our mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ in the Orlando market,” said Terry Shaw, president/CEO for AdventHealth.
Over the years, Deininger has served in various leadership roles within AdventHealth, including vice president of operations for AdventHealth Orlando, vice president for research operations and administrative director of the AdventHealth Translational Research Institute. In his new role, Deininger will lead in the strategic development, planning and growth for the Orlando market. Rajan Wadhawan, MD, senior executive officer for AdventHealth for Women and AdventHealth for Children, will report to Deininger.
“It is an honor to be asked to lead the team in the Orlando market. I look forward to reconnecting with existing relationships, developing new ones and working alongside physicians, leaders and our amazing team members to continue building and developing signature services that help further Christ’s healing ministry and bring our promise of wholeness to life,” said Deininger.
Before starting his career in health care, Deininger spent 12 years in commercial aviation, logging over 9,000 flight hours in various large aircraft. He earned a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in technology from Andrews University located in Berrien Springs, Michigan.
Deininger is actively pursuing his fellowship with the American College of Healthcare Executives and has served as a national examiner for the Baldrige Program, the
nation’s public-private partnership dedicated to performance excellence, which administers the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Deininger currently serves on the advisory board for the College of Arts and Sciences at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and also serves as board chair for the Forest Lake Seventh-day Adventist Church. He previously served as board chair for the American Heart Association Heart Walk in Volusia County.
Deininger and his wife Lisa have two boys, Adam (17) and Luke (14). In his free time, Deininger enjoys spending time with his family outdoors skiing and wakesurfing.