GB Hospital's Harriman now Sr. VP of Baptist
BY BRADLEY "B.J." DAVIS, JR. Gulf Breeze News bjdavis@gulfbreezenews.com

Candy McGuyre/Special to Gulf Breeze News A crowd during the ceremony in which Dr. Bob Harriman, center, was promoted to Senior Vice President of Baptist Health Care. Harriman oversees the operations of Gulf Breeze Hospital as well as Andrews Institute.

A standing-room-only crowd gathered at Gulf Breeze Hospital (GBH) last Wednesday for Dr. Bob Harriman's promotion to Senior Vice President. The 35- year health care veteran's promotion to senior vice president of Baptist Health Care comes only months after being named administrator of the soon-to-be opened Andrews Institute.

"This promotion clearly is a recognition of not only Bob's efforts and accomplishments during his tenure with us, but also of the organization's commitment to the Gulf Breeze peninsula," said Al Stubblefield, president and CEO of Baptist Health Care.

During the ceremony, members of the GBH staff remarked on Harriman's past accomplishments and how he came to be at the hospital.

"15 years ago, Bob Harriman came to work for Baptist Health Care, and about 15 months ago, Baptist allowed Bob Harriman to come over to work with us at Gulf Breeze Hospital, and we're glad that he did," said Patsy Myers, GBH Associate Administrator. Myers told a story of a trip Harriman took with his family during the first week of his tenure at the hospital. The trip was cut short by Hurricane Dennis forcing Harriman to return to the area.

Harriman praised coworkers for much of his success, saying he had "simply surrounded" himself with good people. Coworkers (left to right) Annette Bedner, RN; Sandy Lecroy, STAnesth.; Terry Evans, RN, Director of Surgical Services; Roland Gincauskas, MD, Mimi Gulley, ST, Joanne Foss, RN and Peter Soutullo, CRNA rejoiced with the newly appointed Senior Vice President, saying "it is really exciting and he is already doing a good job."

"This really irritating gentleman named Dennis came to town. And Dennis kind of wobbled, but when Bob Harriman heard that [Dennis] was headed for us, he was on the phone saying, 'I'm coming home. I'm coming back,'" Myers remembered. She added, "It was one of those wonderful times when you're in a stressful time, you really get to know someone and know what they're made of, and we realized very quickly Bob Harriman was the perfect fit for us."

Dr. David DiLoreto, senior vice president of Medical Affairs with Baptist Health Care, commented on Harriman's work ethic.

"Woody Allen once said that 80 percent of success was just showing up. I think that 100 percent of leadership is showing up and doing the right thing again and again and again," DiLoreto said. "Bob Harriman shows up 100 per- cent of the time and does the right thing again and again and again."

GBH Community Board of Directors member Harrison Wilder explained how he was part of the selection process that tapped Harriman. Wilder remembered some concern over the transition between former administrator Dick Fulford's reign and Harriman's installment.

"Those of you in the room are probably more acquainted with how well that transition went more than many of us on the community board," said Wilder. "I will tell you, having worked relatively close with Bob over that period of time, there was one word that I wanted to use to describe him, and that would be 'inclusive.' Over and over again the theme was the 'inclusiveness' that we wanted to continue and actually enhance with respect to not just department heads but even the people in housekeeping."

Chad Gilliland, associate administrator for Andrews Institute, noted that in addition to Harriman's professionalism, he made working for the hospital enjoyable.

"[One thing] I appreciate Bob for is he's fun. When you leave a meeting with Bob Harriman, it doesn't matter if it was a serious meeting or not, there was always an opportunity in there somewhere to have a little fun," said Gilliland. "That's encouraging, that's what keeps people coming back on a daily basis. I'm looking forward to working with Bob and working under his leadership and learn as much as I can over the next few years."

Harriman followed the comments with his own, many of which thanking the room for the kind words and support.

"I'm a little humbled here, I hope you understand that," said Harriman. He added that his staff is the glue that holds the operation and his leadership together.

"When I was asked to run the Andrews Institute, the only reason I could say yes, and there were a billion reasons how I could say no, was the great job that everybody does on this campus. It's really true that it's your efforts that have allowed me to become what I am today," he said. "My whole career, I have simply surrounded myself with good people. It's kind of a no-brainer."

Harriman has a clinical and administrative background beginning his career in radiology then earned his doctorate in educational leadership from Florida State University. He was the inaugural administrator for Baptist Medical Park on Nine Mile Road during its first years of operation.