Stephanie S. Abbott is a cancer survivor and healthcare executive, offering a unique perspective as both a patient and a C-suite leader. She recently published Buried or Planted – 100+ Expert Insights from a Healthcare Executive’s Journey as a Cancer Patient, sharing her journey and advocating for a more empathetic, human-centered healthcare system.

Stephanie’s story combines resilience with a call to action for improving patient care. With leadership roles including Chief Experience Officer at Adventist Health and Division VP of Patient Experience for HCA, she has designed processes that prioritize safety, compassion, and collaboration. She has spearheaded efforts to enhance caregiver and patient experiences, emphasizing cultural transformation and process innovation to reduce friction and improve outcomes.

Board-certified as a Fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives and a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Stephanie holds degrees from the University of South Florida and South University.