Alabaster’s own Holly Dean comes full circle
By Barry Wise Smith
For Holly Dean, the CEO of Baptist Health Shelby Hospital, life has come full circle. Born at Shelby’s sister hospital Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital, Dean grew up in Alabaster before moving to Hoover and graduating high school there. So, when she took the top job at Shelby Baptist, it was truly a homecoming.
When it came time to pick a college, Dean, who grew up an Alabama fan, went to Auburn instead. “I thought I wanted to be a vet, but I quickly pivoted,” Dean says. Enrolled in business and management classes, “I found myself more interested in that than the science-based classes.”
Encouraged by an uncle who was in the medical administration field, Dean saw, “how much he enjoyed what he did and how passionate he was. He would say ‘we save lives and make a difference and contribute to the healthcare community.’” Dean switched to Auburn’s health services administration program and did an internship at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and “loved it,” she says.
Dean went on to complete her master’s degree in health administration and her MBA at UAB. After graduate school, Dean took an administrative residency at UF Health Shands Hospital, where she stayed for several years learning the ropes in a large hospital setting.
After leaving Shands, Dean joined Hospital Corp of America where she stayed for 13 years—three in Tampa, Florida, and her last 10 in Panama City Beach where she served as the COO for HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital. In 2018, when Hurricane Michael devastated Panama City and the Florida Panhandle, the hospital had to close due to damage. “It was a devastating event for the community,” Dean remembers. “Both of the hospitals had to close temporarily, but we re-opened in 90 days, which was unheard of. We learned a lot about teamwork and perseverance.”
All along, Dean told herself that if an opportunity presented itself in the Birmingham area, she would pursue it. “Birmingham molded me into who I am today,” she says. “I had accomplished everything I wanted to in Panama City Beach, and then the CEO position here opened up.”
Dean got the job and returned to Alabaster two years ago to take over Baptist Health Shelby Hospital, then still under the ownership of Tenet Healthcare (Orlando Health purchased 70 percent of Shelby Baptist and four other hospitals in the Baptist system in 2024). “There is nothing more humbling than getting to serve my hometown,” Dean says. “This is a great job, a great hospital, and in a great location!”
Dean’s transition here and the transition to the new majority ownership has been smooth. “It’s been phenomenal,” Dean says. “There is a 100-percent, patient-first philosophy, with high-quality care and a great patient experience.”
Since the purchase was complete in late 2024, Orlando Health has invested in improving facilities and hiring staff. “There is a lot of excitement because we’re seeing things change,” Dean says. “We are investing more in our facilities, equipment, and our people.” Some of those changes include $800,000 worth of equipment upgrades, exterior painting on all hospital buildings, updated signage and landscaping, and paving the main hospital parking lot.
As for her short- and long-term goals, Dean is focused on three things: “First I want to focus on rebuilding this hospital and the services we provide,” she says. “We want an even stronger foundation, rebuilding several specialties and service lines.” Dean also strives to strengthen the relationship between the hospital and physicians and team members. “We want our actions to match our words,” she continues. “We’re also focused on raising our level of quality and service for our patients.”
Finally, Dean wants to strengthen the hospital’s relationship with the Alabaster and surrounding community. “I want us to reconnect with the community,” Dean says. “We want to be active in events and opportunities to give back. The community has supported us for many years, and we’re going to do that in reverse.”
Dean lives with her husband David, who is a project manager with Premise Healthcare and their 11-year-old daughter Ella Ann.
