FAST FACTS

Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
Family: Husband (Alex Day), Furry Children (Derby the Dog and Tigger the Cat)
Hobbies: Philanthropy, travel and hunting for bargains on antiques.
Currently reading: “I Thought It Was Just Me (But It Isn’t)” by Brene’ Brown (Brilliance Audio)
Favorite vacation spot: Anywhere I haven’t been!

Medical News: How’d you end up working at the CEO Council?

Tammy York Day: I was approached by one of the CEOs, and when I heard about the mission and vision, I knew it would be impactful to the healthcare industry and this city I love, so I wanted to be a part of it.

MN: So, what’s it like? 

TYD: Amazing, challenging, rewarding, frustrating and exhilarating! That these 12 CEOs came together to take their collective strength and look for ways to leverage it for the healthcare industry and local economy is special and rare.

MN: How’s it different than you expected?

TYD: I am learning about so much innovation that is going on here in Louisville, much less the nation. It is like drinking from a fire hose, and I absolutely am enthralled. I don’t have enough hours in the day and I wake up excited with what I know each day will bring.

MN: What’s been the hardest part?

TYD: The time you must spend with a new organization getting the operations standardized. When you come from corporate, you forget what it’s like when you don’t have that infrastructure, and everything must be built from scratch.

MN: If you had to choose a totally different career, what would it be?

TYD: I can’t fathom doing anything else at this point in my life. I made a career change in January from 20 plus years [at Delta Dental], so I’ve chosen my path for now.

MN: If you were starting today, would you do the same thing again? Why or why not?

TYD: Yes, I absolutely know this is where I am meant to be right now.

MN: What’s one piece of advice you remember most clearly?

TYD: A very wise Russ Cox, CEO of Norton [Healthcare], said, “What you will need most with this position is resilience.”

MN: Tell me about your management approach in your new role. 

TYD: I know I would only be as effective as the team I built around me, so I chose very carefully. Hiring Kendrick Norris as my executive assistant and Rebecca Brown Rice as our director of operations were game changers. When you have the right people in the right roles, it is less about management and more about leadership.

MN: What do you hope to achieve during your time at the CEO Council?

TYD: Impact. Everything ties to impact, both economic for Louisville and in aging innovation in healthcare.

MN: What are you proud of thus far?

TYD: That in eight short months we are on our way to letting the rest of the nation know that Louisville is the epi-center for healthcare aging innovation. We are a connector in breaking down silos and moving everyone’s efforts forward and between the entrepreneurial community and big companies.

MN: What are some lessons you’ve learned from mentors?

TYD: Be passionate in thinking and measured in action. Also, that you can be feminine AND a badass…