Chief Operating Officer
Ashley Hickel was appointed Chief Operating Officer at Frankfort Regional Medical Center in May 2021. She is responsible for the day-to-day management and oversight of thirteen departments/service lines to include the Emergency Department, Surgical Services, Cardiovascular Services, Respiratory Therapy, Trauma, Imaging services, Facilities, Environmental Services, Food and Nutrition Services, Lab/Pathology, Pharmacy, Rehab and Sleep Lab. In addition, Ashley also serves as the hospital’s Ethics and Compliance Officer.
Ashley has 21 years of clinical and healthcare leadership experience, with the last ten years spent between HCA Healthcare’s Capital and North Florida Divisions. Over the last year and a half Ashley acquired and launched two separate Robotics programs at Frankfort Regional Medical Center to include a Davinci and ROSA. Ashley also led the facility to its very first Accreditation as a Comprehensive Center in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Prior to Frankfort Regional Medical Center, Ashley served as Associate Administrator at Osceola Regional Medical Center, she facilitated and operationalized opening a second free-standing ER at Millenia in Orlando. Ashley advanced multiple construction projects to include a tower renovation producing enhanced access and entry points as well as major kitchen renovations and a new Antepartum Unit. Ashley also served as Co-Chief Staffing Officer and Co-Ethics and Compliance Officer over her two years at Osceola Regional Medical Center.
Prior to Osceola Regional Medical Center, Ashley led the Cardiovascular Service Line at Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center growing market share 10% during her tenure and lead two successful Chest Pain accreditations to include PCI with Resuscitation. She spearheaded multiple key quality improvement initiatives exceeding the 75th percentile, while also driving an improved patient experience in outpatient ambulatory surgery. Ashley led the strategic planning, development and launch of a de novo Electrophysiology (EP) Program in 2018.
Ashley received her bachelor’s degree from Midwestern in Wichita Falls, Texas and her MBA from Southern Wesleyan University in Central, South Carolina. Ashley is a member of American College of Healthcare Executives, American Heart Association, American College of Cardiovascular Administrators, and National Association of Professional Women.