At the hospital helm

By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Brandon Nudd

 

 

Relative newcomer to Douglas County, resident Brandon Nudd moved to Colorado in 2018 to become the CEO of Castle Rock Adventist Hospital. Nudd was born and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  He met his wife, Maria, while in elementary school and they started dating in high school. The two later went to college together at Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tennessee.

“Following my sophomore year in college, I became interested in working in healthcare after working as a summer intern in human resources at three Adventist hospitals in the suburbs of Chicago.  In college, I studied business, so identifying an industry that gave me a sense of purpose was important to me.  I quickly realized how exciting and rewarding it would be to work with a team of caregivers who were committed every day to help people when they were their most vulnerable and to celebrate the joys of new life,” Nudd remarked.

Following Nudd’s graduation from Southern Adventist University with a degree in accounting and business management, he relocated to Orlando, Florida and began working as a human resources resident with AdventHealth, the sponsor organization of Castle Rock Adventist Hospital.  Nudd commented, “This program gave me a tremendous foundation working with healthcare executives to develop into a human resources leader.  Over 10 years, I had the opportunity to lead human resources at four different AdventHealth facilities in three states.  I found this work extremely rewarding.”

A year and a half later, the human resources residency program concluded, and Nudd accepted the human resources director role with AdventHealth Gordon in Calhoun, Georgia.  During his time in Calhoun, he got his MBA from Kennesaw State University.  Following that came several more relocations including the suburbs of Chicago and Hendersonville, North Carolina. In 2018, AdventHealth asked Nudd to join Centura Health in Colorado. In July, he started as CEO of Castle Rock Adventist Hospital.

“My wife, Maria, is my best friend and she has been so supportive of me and my career as we have lived in so many wonderful communities throughout the country,” said Nudd.

The Nudds and their four children love living in Colorado and quickly adapted to the culture. Their oldest son, Mitchell (13), is going into seventh grade. Daughter Blythe (12) is going into sixth grade, and daughter Brynley (10) is going into fifth grade. All three kids attend Mile High Academy in Highlands Ranch. Nudd added, “We also have a 3-year-old daughter named Baylor, who bosses us all around!” Maria, an RN, stays home as a full-time mom.

Since moving to Colorado, the Nudds have taught the three older kids to ski and mountain bike. They also take advantage of frequent day trips to the mountains to hike and fish.  Nudd added, “My favorite pastime growing up was golf, so I try to sneak out a few times during the season and take advantage of opportunities to network on the golf course.”

When they were considering relocating from Georgia to Colorado, the Nudds first looked at schools and were really impressed with Mile High Academy. They found a house that was located between the kids’ school and Nudd’s work in Castle Rock.  “We have found Douglas County to be an extraordinary place to live, work and play,” Nudd remarked. “Getting to know my community is very important to me, so shortly after relocating to Colorado, I got involved.” Nudd has served as a board member of the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce and on the school board at Mile High Academy among other responsibilities.  The Nudd family is very involved in the Littleton Seventh-day Adventist Church as well.

Nudd concluded, “I have found the people of Castle Pines to be so gracious and encouraging as we look at opportunities to collaborate and grow our community.  We live in an incredible part of the country, and I love being able to see individuals in our community living their lives to the fullest.”