The Christ Hospital Health Network has always been an award-winning institution, with its more than exceptional care to patients and the surrounding community of Cincinnati. But beyond clinical care and focus on outcomes, The Christ Hospital has also been award-winning in its service to women, both patients and employees. Naming Deborah Hayes as President and CEO of The Christ Hospital in May of 2021 demonstrated immense progress for healthcare leadership in our region.
Deborah started at The Christ Hospital as a student nurse aide over 30 years ago, and has served in numerous roles across the organization before being named President and Chief Executive Officer. Although being CEO was never her original dream, her passion for The Christ Hospital – its patients, families and employees – only gets bigger.
“My career in healthcare has been truly fulfilling and most unexpected,” says Hayes. “Every day that I come to work,” she continues, “I know that somehow and some way, something that I will do on that day will positively influence a patient, a family caregiver or one of our team members so that they can fulfill our mission of improving the health of our community.”
And under her leadership, the hospital continues to be one of US News and World Report’s Top 50 Hospitals, a Truven Top 100 hospital and one of Newsweek’s Top Hospitals in the USA.
Since 1987, Deborah has held roles at The Christ Hospital ranging from critical care clinical nurse specialist, Director of Critical Care, Chief Nursing Officer, Chief Information Officer, Chief Hospital Officer and Chief Operating Officer, to name a few. Her range in service and number of years in healthcare has taught Deborah well when it comes to finding balance within herself.
“I am pretty much an independent woman,” says Hayes. “You understand that you have to have some level of balance in your life and be in control of your matters because no one will do that for you,” she reflects. “I have a balance in my life that is comfortable for me, between work, home, family and play – and when that balance tilts,” she admits, “I know how to self correct (at least most of the time) pretty quickly.”
Deborah also finds balance by prioritizing her mental and emotional health, as well as occupational, social and spiritual.
The Christ Hospital has partnered with WISe Wellness Guild, and together we collectively promote WELLNESS across our community and empower women to make choices that will help them have balance, resilience and energy to succeed in their lives (both personally and professionally). “We appreciate the ability to connect with members across our region in ways where we may not have been present in the past,” says Hayes. “The Christ Hospital Health Network is a community asset,” she continues, “it is a privilege to be entrusted with the health of the members of this community – and we take that very seriously.” Together, we hope to ensure that Greater Cincinnati is a vibrant place for individuals, families and businesses who live here or are looking to move here to thrive and contribute to the greater good of our community.
“A Leadership Style” is a column authored by WISe Wellness Guild founder Stevi Gable Carr and powered by Crunchmaster Crackers aimed at celebrating female leaders who have advanced in their careers because they have integrated work and life through whole-self wellness. Join us on Instagram at @wise_wellness_guild for daily inspiration, community spotlights and wellness resources.