Lorraine Lutton is the President of St. Joseph’s Hospital, the busiest not-for-profit health care provider in Hillsborough County. In the Emergency/Trauma Center alone, an outstanding team of emergency medicine professionals provide care to more than 150,000 children and adults annually. On a daily basis, more than 4,700 team members work together throughout the hospital to provide excellent care to about 450 inpatients each day.
Lutton has been instrumental in the hospital’s growth and ability to serve the community. St. Joseph’s Hospital has also become known for its programs in Stroke, Neuroscience and Orthopedics as well as advancements in imaging services, surgical services, and more.
Lutton’s interest in health care began when she volunteered at her local hospital as a teen and continued after her graduation from the Anderson Graduate School of Management at UCLA when she started working at the University of California, Santa Diego Medical Center as their quality manager. “The quality manager position was a great introduction to hospital management because I got to see how all the departments worked and interacted together,” Lutton said.
Under Lutton’s leadership, St. Joseph’s – along with its sister BayCare hospitals – have consistently earned the highest patient satisfaction ratings in the Tampa area. “We have a wonderful group of professionals at St. Joseph’s dedicated to high quality, compassionate healthcare,” she said. “Everything starts with our team members and their interaction with and ability to listen to our patients.”
Lorraine Lutton Q&A
What is your greatest accomplishment?
Personally, my 3 children who are all wonderful and kind.
Professionally, leading the magnificent group of people at St. Joseph’s to become and remain the local hospital with the highest satisfaction ratings. Every hospital in the country is independently ranked by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and each year St. Joseph’s scores are very high. It all starts with our team members and making sure that everyone knows the mission of the hospital and that we are all listening to our patients.
Who do you admire most in the community?
I am inspired by the stories of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany whose mission of ministering to individuals in need started St. Joseph’s Hospital.
I also admire the many volunteers in the community who are making Tampa a better place to live.
Do you have a motto you live by?
Be the change you wish to see in the world from Mahatma Gandhi and Ralph Waldo Emerson’s quotes on gratitude including, Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you and to give thanks continuously.
You have always been very involved with the community but what are some of the volunteer efforts you are currently engaged in?
Everyday I see the positive impact of the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation’s work. They raise money to support St. Joseph’s mission including scholarships and donating high-tech equipment, and are very involved with our children’s hospital.
I have volunteered with the American Heart Association for many years. They do very important, life saving work in the community. They, along with Hillsborough County Schools, will be providing CPR training in the schools so that every child who graduates will know how to perform CPR.
The Athena Society is a women’s networking group supporting equality for women in the workplace and the Tampa Chamber is a great place to meet other community leaders.
What advice do you give to younger leaders?
Be open to change and be ready for any adventure.
