Sacred Heart Hospital CEO Trey Abisher: Serving the Emerald Coast
Trey Abisher has been the CEO of Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital for a little over a year now, but the relatively brief time in this role has had a significant impact on the hospital, community, and his own mindset.
While he has served as the CEO of for-profit hospitals, Sacred Heart is the first non-profit religious hospital that Trey has led. The difference was almost immediately apparent: “a difference you wouldn’t think of going from a for-profit to a not-for-profit, faith-based organization is you’re able to have prayer. That was new to me. Every morning at 8 a.m., our chaplain will share a prayer with the entire hospital on the intercom throughout the entire campus.”
As we settled into his office to record his interview for the Christian Capitalist podcast, we had a choice of which direction to point the camera. While we decided to use the hospital logo sign behind his desk as our background, the other option was a large cross on the wall by the conference table. It’s an important reminder to Trey and all Christian Capitalists that Jesus is always at work with us!
Like most hospital CEOs, Trey typically has a day packed with meetings. The daily morning prayer, along with starting each meeting with prayer or reflection, has a substantial impact on Trey and his team. “Instead of rolling right into the next meeting and jumping into the topic, we get to take a pause… It’s just a good level set, a reminder of who we are and what we’re here for. At the end of the day, we’re not here unless we’re treating patients, so it’s good for me to take a step back.”
Trey notes that the people of the Emerald Coast are remarkably supportive of the hospital and allow it to continue to grow and serve the community. “This is my fourth CEO opportunity. In that time, I have never been a part of a community that is so engaged with ensuring the success of Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast.”
Sacred Heart physicians and staff brought 1,400 babies into the world last year! The hospital features a ten-bed neonatal intensive care unit and recently began a program for hospitalists (physicians focused on hospital care) just for that unit.
SOWAL Life locals will get a chance to support the hospital and programs like its neonatal intensive care unit through its annual golf tournament held on November 7 at the Burnt Pine Country Club at Sandestin.
Trey recently appeared on the Christian Capitalist podcast, and you can listen to the entire episode on SOWAL Life’s website. We are excited to share inspirational stories of hard work and generous giving to the poor and needy in the name of Jesus Christ, like Trey and all the hard-working folks at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast!
