Gregg Florentin

An Opportunistic Visionary Transforming Healthcare Systems with Strategic Leadership

GREGG FLORENTIN

Chief Executive Officer,

Tri-City Cardiology

This sentiment captures the essence of Gregg Florentin’s journey as CEO of Tri-City Cardiology. With over three decades of experience, Gregg has been a transformative force in healthcare, blending cutting-edge innovation with a deep commitment to the human aspect of care. At a time when cardiovascular disease claims nearly 700,000 lives each year in the U.S., Gregg’s leadership is more crucial than ever. What truly sets Gregg apart is his unwavering dedication to integrating advanced technologies like AI and predictive analytics with compassionate care. Under his leadership, patient outcomes have soared, and he has fostered a workplace where employees feel both empowered and valued. Before his role at Tri-City Cardiology, Gregg held global leadership positions, including his pivotal tenure at Ahart Healthcare Solutions. There, he led the company to significant growth, expanding to over 500 employees across multiple countries and forging An Opportunistic Visionary Transforming Healthcare Systems with Strategic Leadership GREGG FLORENTIN A LEADER’S GREATEST POWER LIES IN THEIR ABILITY TO INSPIRE OTHERS TO BELIEVE IN SOMETHING BIGGER THAN THEMSELVES Chief Executive Officer, Tri-City Cardiology Top 10 Inspirational CEOs USA 2024 9 to pivot as a leader in evolving situations. This global perspective has helped me develop strategies to improve efficiency, address staffing shortages, and lead effectively amidst constant change. Gregg’s global experience has taught him that adapting quickly to evolving situations is key to overcoming barriers. What is the most critical issue facing U.S. healthcare, and how can organizations like Tri-City Cardiology address it? The U.S. healthcare system is facing rising costs, a shrinking physician workforce, regulatory complexities, and shifting expectations postCOVID. To address these challenges, organizations like Tri-City Cardiology must advocate for policy reform to lower costs and improve access while investing in workforce development to fill critical staffing gaps. Embracing technology like telemedicine and focusing on preventive care will enhance patient outcomes and efficiency. Additionally, addressing health disparities through targeted outreach and culturally competent care is key to delivering equitable healthcare in today’s environment. A balanced, innovative approach is crucial to overcoming these barriers. How do you see AI shaping the future of U.S. healthcare? AI will revolutionize U.S. healthcare by enabling earlier disease detection, personalized treatments, and more efficient care. By analyzing large data sets, AI can predict health risks and tailor interventions, reducing chronic diseases. It will also improve diagnostic accuracy and streamline administrative tasks, allowing healthcare professionals to focus more on patient care. Ultimately, AI will create a more proactive, personalized, and efficient healthcare system, improving outcomes and lowering costs. groundbreaking healthcare initiatives that gained international acclaim. Recognized as one of the “Top 10 Inspirational CEOs in the USA,” Gregg believes, ‘To lead effectively, you must be visible, approachable, and genuinely invested in the people around you.’ In TradeFlock’s exclusive interview, Gregg shares insights on his leadership philosophy, the future of cardiovascular healthcare, and how he’s continuing to inspire those around him.

NAVIGATING CHANGE IS A LEADER’S CONSTANT CHALLENGE — SUCCESS COMES FROM PATIENCE, FLEXIBILITY, AND THE ABILITY TO PIVOT WHEN NEEDED

What initially motivated you to pursue a career in healthcare administration?

From an early age, I was captivated by the healthcare field, with aspirations of becoming a doctor, EMS professional, or educator. Over time, my passion evolved into a desire to make a broader impact. Healthcare administration offered me the perfect platform to enhance patient care and optimize systems at scale. I was drawn to the opportunity to lead teams, shape policy, and drive innovation in a field that is both dynamic and essential. This path allows me to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare organizations, ultimately benefiting communities and individuals alike.

What is the most critical issue facing U.S. healthcare, and how can organizations like Tri-City Cardiology address it?

The U.S. healthcare system is facing rising costs, a shrinking physician workforce, regulatory complexities, and shifting expectations postCOVID. To address these challenges, organizations like Tri-City Cardiology must advocate for policy reform to lower costs and improve access while investing in workforce development to fill critical staffing gaps. Embracing technology like telemedicine and focusing on preventive care will enhance patient outcomes and efficiency. Additionally, addressing health disparities through targeted outreach and culturally competent care is key to delivering equitable healthcare in today’s environment. A balanced, innovative approach is crucial to overcoming these barriers.

What are the key lessons you've learned, and what advice would you give aspiring healthcare CEOs?

The most important lesson I’ve learned is that —

DIRECTION MATTERS MORE THAN SPEED— MOVING QUICKLY IN THE WRONG DIRECTION IS A WASTE OF TIME.

Transparency is key to keeping your team focused and calm, while holding everyone accountable ensures high performance. Building personal connections with your team by being visible and approachable fosters trust and collaboration. Don’t underestimate the power of a simple “thank you”—it can have a big impact. Rely on accurate data to guide your decisions, and always be ready to pivot when necessary. Lastly, knowing your business inside and out—understanding all aspects, from finances to operations, will make you a stronger, more connected leader.

Looking back, what do you see as the most visionary decision you’ve made in your career as a healthcare leader?

One of the most impactful decisions I’ve made in my career is having a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and implementing these principles to identify inefficiencies and promote collaboration across departments. My goal has always been to eliminate unproductive time and replace it with processes that drive efficiency and productivity. When issues arise due to interdepartmental challenges, I bring all relevant teams together to find solutions, avoiding fingerpointing and fostering teamwork. This collaborative approach helps employees understand the entire patient care and operational process, building stronger team dynamics and a resilient workforce.I make it a priority to be highly involved in every SWOT analysis, and my visibility as CEO resonates with employees. They are often amazed to see leadership directly engaging with their concerns, but more importantly, they see action being taken. This engagement builds trust, ensures problems are addressed, and creates buy-in from employees, who feel heard, valued, and motivated to align with the organization’s strategic direction.

ONE OF MY CORE LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES IS THAT IF SOMETHING HAS ALWAYS BEEN DONE A CERTAIN WAY, IT’S NOT A STRATEGIC PLAN—IT’S A STRATEGIC FAILURE

What are your biggest barriers, and how has your global experience helped in your current role?

One of the biggest challenges I face today is navigating the rapid shifts in staff culture and expectations. My experience with Ahart Healthcare Solutions, particularly leading a hospital and medical group in the UAE, where I worked with teams from over 75 countries, has been invaluable. Managing such a diverse workforce taught me how to overcome cultural barriers, adapt quickly, and foster strong relationships. It also reinforced the importance of patience, flexibility, and the ability to pivot as a leader in evolving situations. This global perspective has helped me develop strategies to improve efficiency, address staffing shortages, and lead effectively amidst constant change. Gregg’s global experience has taught him that adapting quickly to evolving situations is key to overcoming barriers.

How do you see AI shaping the future of U.S. healthcare?

AI will revolutionize U.S. healthcare by enabling earlier disease detection, personalized treatments, and more efficient care. By analyzing large data sets, AI can predict health risks and tailor interventions, reducing chronic diseases. It will also improve diagnostic accuracy and streamline administrative tasks, allowing healthcare professionals to focus more on patient care. Ultimately, AI will create a more proactive, personalized, and efficient healthcare system, improving outcomes and lowering costs.

What’s next for you and Tri-City Cardiology? Are there any new service lines or partnerships you’re excited about?

“Our service area, particularly in the East Valley of Arizona, is experiencing rapid population growth, with over 450 new residents joining us weekly. Many of these are young families, which gives Tri-City Cardiology a critical role in delivering essential services to meet the growing healthcare needs.” Looking ahead, we have exciting developments planned for the next two to three years. Our primary focus includes expanding our Ambulatory Surgery Center to accommodate more patients and services, recruiting top-notch physicians, merging with other cardiology practices, and exploring medical tourism as a new venture. We’re also keen on harnessing AI to enhance staffing resources and offer more preventive services to improve patient outcomes.To achieve these goals, we will continue building on our existing partnerships with specialized healthcare groups, hospital systems, and community outreach programs. This will include educating the public on lifestyle choices and early interventions to manage cardiovascular risk factors, like high blood pressure and obesity, through the use of AI advancements. The ultimate goal is to improve patient outcomes and efficiency while maintaining our high standards of care.

Over your career, how have you seen the culture of healthcare change? How did your leadership adapt to align with or influence those cultural shifts?

The culture of healthcare has evolved dramatically over the years, and as a leader, adapting quickly to these shifts has been essential. One of the most notable changes is the shift toward Patient-Centered Care. This approach prioritizes treating patients as active partners in their healthcare, resulting in more personalized treatment plans and improved communication between providers and patients. Another major transformation is Technology Integration, including the widespread use of electronic health records (EHRs), telemedicine, and AI-driven diagnostics. These technologies are making healthcare more efficient, accessible, and precise, and I’ve been a strong advocate for their implementation within our systems. Additionally, the rise of Interdisciplinary Collaboration is helping healthcare teams work across departments and specialties to provide more comprehensive care for complex health issues. The increasing focus on Mental Health is also a critical shift, integrating mental health services within primary care settings to address the well-being of the whole patient. Furthermore, the healthcare industry is transitioning from a FeeFor-Service model to Value-Based Care, which emphasizes quality over quantity. This shift encourages providers to focus on patient outcomes and overall care quality. Lastly, there is a growing emphasis on Workplace Well-being, recognizing that the health and happiness of healthcare workers are directly tied to the quality of patient care. As a leader, I’ve worked to support these cultural shifts by creating a supportive, adaptive workplace that encourages collaboration and innovation, aligning with the future of healthcare.