Alicia Schulhof is a mission- and values-driven health care leader with more than 20 years of experience building high-performing teams and guiding organizations through transformational change across for-profit, nonprofit, community and academic settings.
She began her career with HCA Healthcare, serving in progressive leadership roles across Indiana, Texas and Florida, including chief operating officer and ethics and compliance officer. She later held leadership roles of increasing responsibility at Indiana University Health, culminating as president of three hospitals in the North Suburban Area. Her IU Health experience also included serving as system senior vice president for continuous process improvement and chief operating officer of Riley Hospital for Children. Most recently, she served as president of Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital and statewide pediatric service line leader for Ascension St. Vincent in Indiana.
Schulhof was recruited to join Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital five years ago. She was attracted to the hospital’s strong reputation for clinical excellence, innovation and deep commitment to children and families. What drew her most, however, was the people and the mission — the opportunity to be part of an organization that not only delivers world-class care, but truly makes a difference in the lives of children across the region every day.
As president of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, Schulhof oversees all aspects of the health system, including hospital and affiliate operations, research and academic programs, physician enterprises and the foundation. Her role is to help lead the hospital’s overall strategy, operations and culture. She works alongside physicians, nurses, team members and community partners to ensure the hospital provides the safest, highest-quality care while continuing to grow programs and services that meet the needs of the families it serves.
Under her leadership, the hospital has achieved record performance results, been ranked the No. 1 children’s hospital in Florida by U.S. News & World Report for the past three consecutive years, earned its second Magnet designation and expanded access to pediatric care across the region.
Schulhof earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Purdue University and a master’s degree in health care administration from Indiana University. She is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and serves on several national and local boards. She and her husband, Patrick, live in St. Petersburg with their four children and enjoy athletics, exploring the city and traveling.
I grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana. My parents both had a tremendous influence on who I am and the values I bring to leadership today. My mother was an English professor for many years, and she always emphasized the importance of education, communication and lifelong learning. One of the things I admire most about her is that later in life, in her late 40s, she made the decision to go back to school and completely reinvent her career to become an occupational therapist. Watching her take on that challenge with such determination and purpose taught me a great deal about resilience, adaptability and following your passion at any stage of life.
My father was an attorney and also served as an executive for several organizations in Indianapolis. Through his work, I saw firsthand the importance of leadership, service and building strong relationships within a community. He had a very thoughtful and steady approach to decision-making, and I learned a lot from observing how he balanced professionalism with a genuine commitment to helping people.
Together, my parents modeled hard work, curiosity and service to others, and those lessons have stayed with me throughout my career.
One of my fondest childhood memories is simply growing up as the youngest of four children. I always loved being around my older siblings and their friends — I thought the “big kids” were the most interesting people in the world, and I was always trying to keep up with whatever they were doing. It gave me a childhood filled with energy, laughter and a little healthy competition.
Being the youngest also taught me how to be adaptable and independent pretty early on. I learned a lot just by observing my older siblings, and I think growing up in that environment helped shape my confidence and sense of humor. Looking back, some of my happiest memories are the everyday moments — family gatherings, conversations around the table and just being part of a busy, active household.
One of the most formative influences in my childhood was volunteering and being exposed to people from many different backgrounds and experiences. Those opportunities taught me empathy, broadened my perspective and reinforced the importance of service, inclusion and building meaningful connections with others.
As a child, I was always drawn to helping people and to roles where I could make a positive impact. I spent many hours in a hospital alongside a friend who was battling cancer and felt strongly that I wanted to pursue medicine and specifically work in pediatrics and in a hospital setting. I was naturally curious and loved learning, and I was fortunate to grow up in a family that valued education, service and community involvement.
My first job was working at a marina, and it taught me a lot about responsibility, teamwork and customer service at an early age. It was a fast-paced environment where you learned quickly that every role matters and that being dependable and adaptable is important. It also gave me an appreciation for hard work and building positive relationships with people from all walks of life.
I was always drawn to leadership roles and, as I was exposed to various environments, I gravitated toward the hospital environment. I love that hospitals function as mini-cities with a diversity of skills, knowledge and talent. We have a place for everyone — from doctors and nurses to chefs, teachers, engineers, marketing specialists and accountants. I love our mission of “All we do. All for kids.” Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital lives at the intersection of my passion and my purpose.
Professionally, the biggest honor of my life has been the opportunity to lead and serve at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. Being entrusted with that responsibility and working together with such dedicated teams who care deeply about children and families is something I’m truly grateful for every day.
Growing up, I really looked up to mentors — people who invested time in guiding me, challenging me and helping me grow both personally and professionally. I learned so much from leaders who modeled integrity, compassion and thoughtful leadership.
My business philosophy is to find a mission you are truly passionate about. When you are connected to a purpose that really matters to you, it drives better decisions, stronger commitment and a deeper sense of fulfillment in the work. For me, that alignment between purpose and work has been essential in how I approach leadership and decision-making.
The last few years have taught me that integrity never fails. Even when it’s difficult or unpopular, continuing to do the right thing matters — for the organization, for the people you serve and for yourself as a leader. Those moments are often the ones that define trust and long-term success.
I believe my best quality is relationship building. I genuinely value connecting with people, listening to their perspectives and finding common ground. For me, strong relationships are at the center of effective leadership because trust and communication are what allow teams and organizations to truly succeed together. I’ve always tried to be intentional about showing up for people and building those connections in a meaningful way.
I’m originally from Indiana, where I started my career before moving to Texas and then to Florida for about seven years earlier in my career. After that, I returned to Indiana for nearly a decade before coming back to Florida in 2021 to join Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.
What I love most about the Tampa Bay region is the strong sense of community and the incredible growth and energy across the area. It’s a place that continues to evolve while still maintaining a welcoming and collaborative spirit. Having lived here during different chapters of my life, I’ve seen tremendous growth in the health care sector, the business community and the overall vibrancy of the region. At the same time, what has remained consistent is the deep commitment people here have to supporting one another and investing in the future of the community.
I enthusiastically describe Tampa Bay as the best place to work and live and that it is easy to do both right here. I love the incredible energy, growth and opportunity, along with its very strong sense of community.
Tampa Bay is welcoming, collaborative and deeply invested in building a better future. There is great balance, access to beautiful water and outdoor living, along with a growing health care, business and innovation landscape that makes it an exciting place to live and work.
One thing many readers may not realize about children’s health care is how dependent we are on public funding and philanthropic support. At Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, for example, more than 60% of the children we care for are covered by Medicaid, and Medicaid only reimburses about 70 cents on the dollar. That means the stability and strength of children’s hospitals are closely tied to state and supplemental funding decisions. It’s a reminder that sustaining access to high-quality pediatric care requires ongoing partnership and support at both the state and federal levels, as well as through generous donors.
My family has always been my biggest source of support and encouragement. They’ve been there through every stage of my personal and professional journey, providing perspective, grounding and unwavering belief in me. Having that strong foundation has made all the difference, and I’m incredibly grateful for their support.
Personally, my family is what I’m most proud of. My husband and I have navigated the last 30 years together and are fortunate to be the parents of four children. They are our greatest joy and our hearts living outside of our bodies. It is an incredible privilege to be their mom, and they are a constant source of meaning in my life.
Today, I look up to my kids. Seeing their resilience, perspective and authenticity are incredibly inspiring. They continually remind me what’s most important and challenge me to keep learning and growing myself. Watching them grow into who they are — how they think, how they treat others and how they navigate the world — is incredibly meaningful to me. They keep me grounded and constantly remind me of what really matters in life.
In my spare time, I really value being with my family and having time to reset and be present with them. I also enjoy simple things like being outdoors, reading, working out and traveling. Most of all, I appreciate having a little space to slow down from a busy schedule and focus on the people and moments that matter most to me.
My “perfect” day would be one with no agenda and no to-do list — just time with my family. Sunday dinners (which sometimes start at breakfast!) are exactly that with our family. We are together without rushing anywhere or checking the clock, doing simple things, laughing, talking and being fully present with each other. These moments are most meaningful and restorative to me.
I never thought I could be a morning person. For a long time, I wasn’t, but over time I learned how much I appreciate the quiet start to the day and the chance to get in a workout, a meditation, my coffee and get ahead before things get busy. It’s become one of those small but meaningful shifts that I’ve come to value.
My favorite places to travel are our majestic national parks. I love to hike, especially in places that feel peaceful, expansive and a little removed from the day-to-day pace of work and life. I appreciate the simplicity, the scale and the quiet — it helps me reset and gain perspective.
My greatest luxury is travel. I value the opportunity to explore new places, experience different cultures and step away from the day-to-day to reset and gain perspective. For me, travel is less about extravagance and more about connection, learning and time well spent with the people I care about.
The biggest item on my bucket list is to travel to all 50 states by the time I turn 50. It’s more than passing through — to count, we must “experience” the state. I have four left, so we’re getting close. My family and I have really enjoyed the journey and experiencing different parts of the country.
A song I love is “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey. It’s one of those timeless songs that always feels uplifting and energizing. I love its message of hope, perseverance and holding on to possibility — it’s a reminder to keep going even when things feel uncertain.
My most surprising hobby or skill is photography. I really enjoy capturing moments and perspectives that might otherwise be overlooked. It’s something I find both creative and grounding — it allows me to slow down, pay attention to details and see everyday life in a different way.
If I could wake up tomorrow with any skill, it would be cooking. I enjoy the idea of it and appreciate good food, but I wouldn’t say it’s currently one of my strengths. My husband and kids are the chefs in our family, and I’d like to return the favor. They can confidently create meals without a recipe, bring people together around the table and make the experience feel effortless and enjoyable. There’s something really meaningful about cooking as a way to care for others, but until I hone that skill, I am an excellent dishwasher and designated cleanup crew.
One thing most people don’t know about me is that I am a complete introvert. I have to “charge my batteries” before going out to functions or events; I would much prefer to be in my pajamas, on my couch, chatting with my family.
My biggest pet peeve is inconsiderate behavior and a lack of courtesy and kindness toward others.
If I could go back and change one thing, it would simply be to slow down more and sit longer in the moments as they were happening.
Life moves quickly, especially in leadership roles and busy seasons, and I’ve learned over time how important it is to be fully present — to pause, take things in and really appreciate the people and experiences in front of you. That’s something I try to be more intentional about, beginning with my newfound morning routine.
I want my impact to be very simple and very intentional — to leave the world better than I found it.
For me, that means contributing in a way that improves the lives of children and families, strengthens the organizations I’m part of and supports the people around me to do their best work. If, in the end, I’ve helped make even a small positive difference that lasts beyond my time in a role, that’s what I would hope to be remembered for.
This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
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