Shannon Stewartson: CEO of The Orthopedic Clinic

Meet the powerhouse behind The Orthopedic Clinic (TOC), a dynamic healthcare leader who brings heart, vision, and a relentless drive for excellence to everything she does. Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, she relocated to Florida in 1990 and has proudly called it home ever since. Since 2015, she has served as CEO of TOC, leading with a mission-driven mindset shaped by decades of healthcare experience and a deep passion for service.

Before taking the helm at TOC, her journey included executive roles across respected healthcare institutions. She served as Vice President and COO at MCR Health Services, COO at Coastal Orthopedics & Pain Management, and VP of outpatient imaging at Advent Health. She also spent time as a Director at the Center for Diagnostic Imaging (CDI), where she gained a holistic understanding of building and operating healthcare centers from the ground up. Her educational foundation includes a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from Ohio University, a Bachelor’s in Radiologic Sciences, and certifications as both a Certified Medical Practice Executive and Certified Radiology Administrator.

But her impact doesn’t stop there—she serves on the Board of Trustees for AdventHealth University, the Board of Directors for the Florida Bones Society, and actively mentors aspiring healthcare professionals at UCF. At home, she’s a proud wife, mother of three, and newly minted grandmother, describing her family as the driving force behind everything she does.

Her career began with a degree in Radiologic Sciences and a frontline role as a radiologic technologist. What followed was a steady rise through healthcare leadership—each chapter bringing new growth, challenges, and breakthroughs. She credits her time at CDI as especially formative, where she learned firsthand how to launch and scale outpatient centers. That hands-on experience gave her insight into the full spectrum of healthcare operations and sparked a passion for organizational excellence.

When she’s not leading strategic initiatives at TOC, you’ll find her out on the water with her family, decompressing under the Florida sun. She’s also an avid traveler, a fan of spa days, and a lifelong learner committed to personal growth. “You never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life,” she says, quoting Dolly Parton—words she now lives by.

As a leader, she’s known for her assertive yet approachable communication style—confident, clear, and always open to honest dialogue. She builds strong personal connections with her team while maintaining boundaries that preserve fairness and professionalism. Her leadership philosophy centers on integrity, accountability, and a deep sense of responsibility to both patients and employees.

One of the most defining challenges of her career was breaking into executive leadership as a woman in healthcare. Despite women comprising the majority of the healthcare workforce, only 13% of healthcare CEOs are women. She overcame that barrier through hard work, strategic thinking, and an unwavering belief in her purpose. Today, she champions other women in leadership—believing in the power of building each other up and pushing boundaries together.

Under her leadership, The Orthopedic Clinic has undergone transformative growth. The practice has expanded its footprint with new locations, new walk-in clinics, an ambulatory surgery center, and five additional sub-specialized physicians. Looking ahead, TOC is preparing to break ground on a new main campus to meet the growing needs of the community.

What drives her, above all else, is the opportunity to create exceptional experiences and outcomes for patients. She believes healthcare is about more than clinical treatment—it’s about compassion, dignity, and empowering patients to be active participants in their care. “It’s incredibly fulfilling to know we’re working together toward something bigger—a common purpose that truly makes a difference.”

With a bold vision and an empathetic heart, her leadership continues to shape not only The Orthopedic Clinic but also the future of patient-centered care in Florida and beyond.