For Ken West, leadership isn’t about reacting to the day’s demands it’s about creating the space for clarity and forward thinking. As CEO of HCA Florida JFK Hospital, he does not allow himself to get swept up in the operational noise. Instead, he brings disciplined intention to his role, believing that transformation flourishes when distractions are minimized. That mindset was sharpened last December whenhe attended Harvard Business School’s course on Building a Culture of Innovation, where he embraced the no-technology policy, forcing himself to fully unplug and become immersed In the student experience. “It rewired my brain. It shut down the constant stream of inputs and allowed me to think deeply about how innovation takes root. Not just as an idea but as a repeatable process.”

It reinforced the importance of stepping back to design intentional systems. That approach is now woven into the hospital’s culture through the use of scrums: small, cross-functional teams that work in short, focused cycles to test new ideas, solve problems, and implement changes quickly. They’ve shifted their focus from solving what’s broken to unlocking what’s possible. “I began to look at challenges not just through the lens of performance gaps,” he explains, “but through opportunity gaps, areas of untapped potential that, if addressed correctly, can help you leapfrog the competition.”

It’s no small task, as healthcare systems from across the country continue to expand into South Florida, raising the bar for attracting top talent, earning patient trust, and delivering high-quality care. But Ken leads from a position of strength. HCA Florida JFK Hospital is the largest and market-share-leading hospital in Palm Beach County. A self-described collaborative and forward-thinking leader, Ken oversees more than 3,000 employees, medical staff, and volunteers. “I consider myself an intrapreneur,” he says. “My mom was a small business owner. My dad was a firefighter. I learned early on the value of resourcefulness, purpose, and service, as well as the importance of having a diverse range of voices at the table. All of that feeds into a richer tapestry of ideas and outcomes on the back end.”

That early foundation shaped Ken’s approach to leadership, but it was a mentor who sharpened those instincts, sparking his curiosity. “Brian Jakes was the ceo of Southeastern Louisiana Area Health Education Centers. He gave me many of what he would refer to as ‘pearls of wisdom. I followed him to business meetings and listened closely to how he navigated people and pressure. From him, I learned the art of negotiation, how to actively listen to stakeholders, how to read the room, and the importance of staying politically engaged.” Those lessons left a lasting imprint, prompting him to join the Economic Council of Palm Beach County. “I recognize, as many others do, the importance and political relevance of the Economic Council by virtue of its impact across Palm Beach County as well as the collective strength of its members who serve the organization. With countless options to be involved in and a limited bandwidth outside of my personal and professional responsibilities, the Economic Council affords me maximum impact.” And the opportunity to contribute his voice to shaping solutions around our most pressing policy challenges. “I would say adequate and affordable housing for those who need it, continued workforce development, job growth, a strong transportation and mobility plan, and fully funding pre-k support for working families with young children.” While the challenges are real, Ken remains optimistic about the region’s future. “In ten years, my hope is that the business climate remains pro-growth with smart and balanced tax policies that ultimately deliver a higher standard of living for the residents while maintaining a flourishing business community.”

Outside of work, Ken is first and foremost a family man. He and his wife Erica, a physicist by training, have been married for a decade and have two children, Penelope Rose (7) and Kenneth Michael III (6). Together they are active supporters of both local and national charities, lending their time and resources to causes that drive meaningful change.

As someone constantly on the go, Ken always makes the time to slow things down. For him, music is an escape. His playlist is eclectic, but his go-to is jazz, especially the smooth sounds of Miles Davis and John Coltrane. “When I’m stressed, I turn on jazz. It re-centers me.” He’s especially looking forward to attending the legendary Monterey Jazz Festival and never tires of Coltrane’s In a Sentimental Mood. His love for the arts extends beyond music to collecting contemporary pieces, and as a true foodie, he finds joy in discovering new culinary experiences.

His love for culture and creativity fuels a broader purpose grounded in humility and guided by purpose. Ask him what matters most, and he won’t point to accomplishments or awards; he’ll point to people. He’s committed to building others up, nurturing growth, and measuring success by the lives he impacts along the way. “I believe we are called to contribute our time, talent, and treasure to those things which matter most to us in life. This is simply an expression of gratitude for what each has given to me and, more importantly, what each will give to others in the future.”