Brian Wetzel returns to his roots at St. Cloud Hospital

Brian Wetzel is coming home to St. Cloud.

Wetzel, the longtime city resident, has been named president of Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital effective July 1.

Wetzel’s time in the city goes back nearly 40 years, when his family moved to St. Cloud in 1983 and there were still unpaved roads in town.

The St. Cloud Middle and High School alum started his career at St. Cloud hospital as an entry-level employee in 1996, when he registered patients in the emergency department. His career with Orlando Health has been steadily growing in responsibility ever since, and now he’ll preside over the Orlando Health facility. 

"I left with a pretty good idea of front office duties. I fell in love with health care quickly, and now fully embrace that a hospital is a community unto itself," Wetzel said this week. "It goes from the finance departments to clinical staff to food service. They all contribute to patient care."

Wetzel comes back to St. Cloud from Orlando Health Horizon West Hospital in western Orange County, a hospital he opened in January 2020 as chief operating officer before becoming its president. He has been responsible for all aspects of that hospital’s operations.

“I’ve spent the last quarter century learning how great high functioning hospitals operate, and how exceptional quality and compassionate care is provided to our patients,” said Wetzel. “Now I get to bring that experience back to my hometown, St. Cloud. It’s extremely satisfying.

"For 20 years, I never contemplated leaving Orlando Health (which acquired St. Cloud Hospital in 2020). This is something that's only been possible, to return to where I grew up, in the last two years. Now I can help in caring for my friends and neighbors."

Like Wetzel, his brothers Jay, Casey and Mike, a former St. Cloud City Council member, grew up in the town.

“I’m a living example of how one’s career can progress if you’re willing to accept new challenges, do the best job you can, and be committed to continually learning,” he said. “This is my home. We moved here when I was 13 when my dad (Paul) began a 17-year career with the City, first as human resources manager, then as City Manager. This is where my brothers and I grew up, where we learned about hard work and being part of a community. It’s where I met my wife Linda, and where we raised our kids. Now I get to focus on providing the best health care possible for the people of our community. I couldn’t be happier.”

Wetzel is also a vice president with Orlando Health. His achievements with it include leading operational, planning and expansion activities for Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital, Orlando Health Heart & Vascular Institute and Orlando Health Cancer Institute, per a company release. He also led the $320 million renovation and redesign of Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center while continuing his administrative role for ancillary and facility planning, and led the Horizon West building project and planned the opening.

Wetzel replaces Ohme Entin, who will become the chief operating officer for Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center (ORMC).

Information from Orlando Health used in this report.