Best and Brightest: David Herrington

David Herrington

CEO

HCA Healthcare

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I serve as the chief executive officer of HCA Healthcare Live Oak Mental Health and Wellness, a behavioral health hospital in Charleston, South Carolina. Throughout my career, I have been passionate about improving access to behavioral health care while building cultures where people thrive and organizations excel. I have led hospitals across the country through operational transformation, service line growth, patient safety initiatives, and leadership development, always believing that investing in people is the foundation of lasting success. Today, my focus is on expanding access to mental health services across South Carolina by strengthening the continuum of care and developing innovative programs that improve outcomes for patients and families. My long-term goal is to continue advocating for behavioral health care while mentoring the next generation of health care leaders. Giving back means using my experience, time, and resources to create opportunities for others, whether through community service, developing emerging leaders, or helping individuals receive the care they need to build healthier, more hopeful futures.

Favorite Quote and Why: "It ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward." — Rocky Balboa

This quote has always resonated with me because leadership and life are not defined by avoiding adversity. They're defined by how you respond to it. Throughout my career, I've learned that setbacks, difficult decisions, and unexpected challenges are inevitable. What matters most is having the resilience to keep moving forward, learn from every experience, and continue leading with purpose. In behavioral healthcare, where our teams face challenges every day, resilience is one of the most important qualities we can model. On a more personal note, this quote also makes me smile because I grew up with three brothers, so learning how to take a hit and keep going wasn't exactly optional. Conflict resolution in our house looked a little different, and "walking it off" was practically a life skill. Those experiences built resilience, a sense of humor, and the ability to keep moving forward no matter what life throws your way. This quote reminds me that perseverance, grit, and the willingness to keep showing up are often the difference between success and failure. Definition of a Successful Leader: A successful leader is someone who develops people, creates clarity during uncertainty, and leaves every organization stronger than they found it. Leadership isn't about having all the answers; it's about building trust, empowering others to make decisions, and creating a culture where people can do their best work. Great leaders don't need all the answers, they surround themselves with people who challenge their thinking, offer different perspectives, and help them make better decisions. Success is measured not only by organizational results but by the leaders you help develop and the lives you positively influence along the way.

Advice to 18-Year-Old Self: Be true to yourself and don't change who you are to meet others' expectations. Trust your journey, keep learning, and remember that life isn't as serious as people make it, have fun along the way. Seek guidance from people of strong character and surround yourself with those who challenge you to grow. Stay flexible because the future you imagine at 18 may look very different from where you ultimately end up, and that's OK. The opportunities that shape your path often come from saying yes to challenges that feel uncomfortable. Focus on building meaningful relationships, listen more than you speak, and remember that character will open more doors than talent alone. Most importantly, invest in people. The impact you make on others will always be greater than anything you accomplish on your own. Stay patient, enjoy the ride, and trust that every step is preparing you for something greater.

What makes a successful leader: A successful leader is someone who develops people, creates clarity during uncertainty, and leaves every organization stronger than they found it. Leadership isn't about having all the answers; it's about building trust, empowering others to make decisions, and creating a culture where people can do their best work. Great leaders don't need all the answers, they surround themselves with people who challenge their thinking, offer different perspectives, and help them make better decisions. Success is measured not only by organizational results but by the leaders you help develop and the lives you positively influence along the way.