Kelvin Ault, tax partner, PwC
What led you to join Leadership Health Care?
I had been active in Council events prior to formation of LHC so I naturally segued into active LHC participation. LHC provided an excellent platform for establishing relationships with other young professionals in the health care industry, and also provided excellent programs to expand my knowledge of health care industry issues and opportunities.
What has been the most rewarding part of being a member of Leadership Health Care?
By far the most rewarding aspect of LHC has been the long lasting professional relationships that I’ve established and nurtured through being an active member. LHC has also been instrumental in exposing me to a wide variety of industry issues and topics that has helped to advance my professional career.
What is your favorite thing about Nashville?
I think the southern charm and friendliness of the city is the most appealing aspect of Nashville. Of course, having extremely talented musicians and artists swimming around us like fish also provides a vibrancy and appeal like no other city; except for LA, and they have high taxes, smog and much worse traffic.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
When considering the possibility of a job change make sure you are running toward an opportunity rather than running away from something due to frustrations or challenges with your current position.
What famous business person do you most admire and why?
I’m admittedly biased in this regard having spent eight years of my career at Vanguard Health Systems, but Charlie Martin is the business leader I most admire. Charlie is one of the “founding fathers” of the health care industry in Nashville and has been instrumental in forming and growing several successful companies. Charlie possesses a keen sense of knowing where the puck is headed in health care and wasn’t afraid to try new and innovative approaches which made my time at Vanguard so professionally rewarding. In addition, Charlie has a great sense of humor so he also made it fun along the way.
As you think about the future of the health care industry, what is most motivating to you?
In light of the unsustainable path it’s currently on, the industry is ripe for disruptive innovation. I think this presents an excellent opportunity for the entrepreneurial spirit of Nashville to shine through.