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College of Nursing Honors Alumna of the Year

Senior Vice President for Health Affairs and President, UF&Shands Health System David Guzick, Sherrie Sitarik and husband Marshall.

The UF College of Nursing’s Alumna of the Year Sherrie Sitarik credits her education at the College as the foundation for her career. A 1978 BSN graduate, Sitarik was named the president and CEO of Orlando Health in 2010.

Orlando Health is a community-based network of hospitals and care centers and is Central Florida’s fifth-largest employer. Sitarik, who also has a Master of Science in Health Management from the University of Central Florida, started at Orlando Health in the neonatal intensive care unit after graduating from UF.

She has served as president of Orlando Regional Medical Center/Lucerne Pavilion, vice president and patient care executive of acute services at Orlando Health, executive director of the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Women and administrator for patient care at Arnold Palmer Hospital. Prior to her current appointment, Sitarik served as executive vice president and chief strategy officer for Orlando Health, where she led the development of the organization’s 10-year strategic vision and plan, which was adopted by the board in 2009.

Sitarik was recognized at the College’s Commencement Ceremony and introduced by Dean Kathleen Long, as an example of the fact that nurses can do anything. “She truly cares, leads and inspires,” Long said. Sitarik also addressed the BSN class of 2012 at the Pinning Ceremony the night before commencement. She thanked the graduates for choosing the nursing profession and gave them insight to what they can expect in the years to come.

“Whether you have chosen this career or the career has chosen you, you will have the privilege of being part of people’s lives in very indescribable ways,” she said. “For some, you will be there when new life enters the world and for others when they take their last breath. There will be many special moments—unforgettable moments both joyous and sad. There has never been a day that I have not been proud to say I am a nurse.”