There aren’t many women who are presidents of the hospital, but Riddle Hospital president Shelly Buck knows everything about breaking the boundaries.
Research shows that only about 14% of hospital CEOs are women. However, Buck, who began his career as a nurse, smashed the glass ceiling.
“I’ve gone through some challenges you wouldn’t normally have in your career,” Buck said. “It’s funny to say the least.”
Shortly after Buck envisioned his position, the Covid-19 pandemic shut down the world.
She managed Riddle’s pandemic response while overseeing the massive expansion of Riddle, a part of Mainline Health. The once sleepy little hospital has grown into a medical campus that flourished with the media.
“The best reward was to see change without losing the core of Riddle Hospital,” Buck said. “The values, the commitment to the community, the support of the community, the employees here.”
CBS News Philadelphia
The magnificent mosaics in the lobby show the Delaware County community around the hospital, decorated with thousands of tiles decorated with photographs and words of hope, unity, excellence and more.
“This mosaic is a reflection of the hospital and the community we serve,” Buck said.
Buck begins his professional life as a nurse and says that service is in her blood.
“The fact that I am a registered nurse gives me a slightly different perspective on the role,” she added. “I can say it wasn’t a straight shot (to come here) that’s certainly true. I tell people who meander to come here. … When I first started nursing, I didn’t want a hospital or a CEO president or anything like that. That wasn’t my dream.
Currently, Buck is working to create more opportunities for others, especially women.
“We need more women, more nurses. In healthcare, we can say that as CEO, in our leadership position as president… I am very pleased to do this job because I know it’s bigger than me.
More about CBS News
Stephanie Stahl
