Stephanie Tighe, director of multiple service lines at AdventHealth Avista, has dedicated her career to health care with a focus on compassion and support for both patients and staff. Tighe began working in health care at 16 as a tray passer at St. Anthony Hospital on Colfax. She describes this first job as formative: “It was one of my favorite jobs,” Stephanie recalls. “Engaging with patients and families, interacting with nursing and dieticians – it ignited something in me. I knew I wanted to help people even more.”
Her commitment deepened when her younger brother experienced frequent hospitalizations due to severe asthma, prompting her to pursue respiratory school. This led to a 24-year tenure with AdventHealth.
After spending two decades at St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood, Tighe took on the role of interim director at Avista while maintaining her previous responsibilities. The temporary position became permanent after she connected with the team and found renewed enthusiasm for her work: “I quickly realized I wanted to be here,” she says. “I was welcomed by every team. The relationships formed so fast, and they reignited a passion I had lost over the years.”
Tighe emphasizes the importance of leadership rooted in partnership and empathy: “I think people might be surprised to learn how much I love leadership,” she says. “It excites me to see team members grow, stretch, and discover their strengths.” She adds that trust and relationship-building are central to her approach: “The relationships we build here are so special,” she shares. “People truly care about each other. I’ve never experienced anything like it.”
According to Tighe, the culture at Avista is characterized by warmth and authenticity among caregivers: “Our teams are connected to their mission,” she explains. “They’re not here for a paycheck. They truly care about their patients’ well-being.” She values personal connections within the workplace: “I know they’re skilled professionals,” she says, “but that’s not what defines them. I love who they are as people.”
Looking ahead, Tighe is optimistic about growth within Avista’s departments: “Each department is growing and learning new ways to care for patients,” she says. “It can be scary, but I know they’ll look back and be proud of what they’ve accomplished.” She also highlights caregiver wellbeing as a priority.
She credits simple but powerful advice for shaping her leadership style: “‘Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.’” She believes embracing discomfort leads to growth.
Tighe hopes colleagues remember her for treating them with respect: “‘I hope they remember that I treated them as a person first, that I worked beside them, empowered them, and believed in them.’”
Reflecting on recent years at Avista, Tighe expresses pride in her teams’ progress: “‘I’m proud of the growth I’ve seen – the new programs, the new skills, the courage to try new things. They’ve stretched so much these past four years,’” she says.
AdventHealth Orlando—located in Orlando, Florida—was founded in 1908 and serves as both a general hospital with pediatric services and a training facility under current president Terry Shaw.
