Hall Render is proud to present the next installment of the Black Health Care Executive Spotlight, a series honoring the achievements and contributions of Black leaders in the health care industry. Through interviews with executives from hospitals, health systems and other provider groups, the series aims to showcase the diverse perspectives shaping the future of health care.
This installment of Hall Render’s Black Health Care Executive Spotlight series features Kurt Strudwick, Assistant Vice President of Operations for the Cardiovascular Service Line at Virtua Health. With a remarkable career dedicated to advancing health care operations and improving patient outcomes, Kurt exemplifies leadership and innovation in the evolving health care landscape. Interviewed by Hall Render attorney Mayo Alao, this spotlight dives into Kurt’s journey, the meaningful impact of his work and his aspirations for fostering representation, inclusion and equity across the industry.
Interview
Q 1: What inspired you to pursue a career in health care administration?
A: I’ve always been drawn to health care, largely because my mother was the head of Pediatrics at a leading hospital in the area where I grew up in Jamaica. Watching her interact with children, collaborate with her staff and support families showed me what compassionate health care could look like. As I got older, I began to see health care as the intersection between purpose and impact. It’s about doing meaningful work and making a difference in people’s lives.
When I moved to the United States and began working as a clinician, particularly in inner-city Baltimore, I witnessed significant gaps in access and health care inequities firsthand. While I found the clinical work meaningful, I began to feel that my purpose wasn’t fully fulfilled in that role alone. I wanted to understand the bigger picture and make a broader impact by working behind the scenes to change the systems that deliver health care in the United States. We’ve all seen how health care operates as a business, which presents real challenges, but I’m finding more fulfillment now in seeing how strategic decisions can create a trickle-down effect and drive positive changes in patient care.
Q 2: Who would you say has been the most significant influence on your leadership journey in health care?
A: It would be remiss of me not to mention my mother. Throughout my career, I’ve learned from a wide range of leaders, but one of my earliest and most enduring influences was my mom. As I mentioned, she led the Pediatric Department, and when I’d accompany her to work, I was struck by how engaged and motivated her team was. That’s when I learned that leadership isn’t just about a title or position—it’s about how you show up, how you treat people and the impact you make on both patients and your team. The way she carried herself modeled that for me from a young age.
Equally important have been the lessons I’ve learned from the teams I’ve led. There’s so much insight that comes from day-to-day interactions that I’ve often reflected on how trust is either built or lost based on a leader’s actions. These experiences have shaped my understanding of leadership just as much as any formal role model.
Q 3: Why do you think having more Black professionals in the health care industry is important, particularly at the executive level?
A: I wouldn’t limit it to just Black professionals—it’s important to have a multicultural leadership team at the table. Differences in background, mindset and lived experience help reduce group thinking and lead to better, more well-rounded decisions. When everyone has the same perspective, it becomes difficult to truly understand or respond to the needs of patients in underserved communities.
A range of backgrounds and experiences can play a vital role in both patient care and organizational leadership. Clinically, studies have shown that patients have better outcomes when they’re treated by people who look like them or understand their cultural context. There’s more trust and stronger communication, and patients are often more engaged in their care. From a leadership standpoint, diversity brings critical perspectives that help avoid blind spots in decision-making. Leaders who reflect the communities they serve are better equipped to design systems and strategies that actually meet patients where they are, especially in areas where people may not have a primary care provider and rely heavily on emergency departments.
Ultimately, as health care continues moving toward a value-based care model, inclusion must be part of the foundation—both at the bedside and in the boardroom.
Q 4: What advice would you give to young Black professionals aspiring to leadership roles in health care?
A: The first thing I would say to Black professionals in general is: You belong. You belong even in spaces where you don’t see people who look like you—because your voice is ultimately going to be more important and more critical in those spaces.
Secondly, you don’t have to have a title to be a leader. There’s an opportunity for young Black professionals to lead from wherever they are. Practice now, and when you step into that formal leadership role later on, you’ll feel more confident. People are looking for leaders who bring confidence and calm despite the chaos around them.
The last thing I’d emphasize is to never lose sight of your why as you advance. Stay connected to your purpose, even as you grow your career. One thing I try to do as a leader—and I’m still relatively young in my career—is to create opportunities and make the transition easier for those who come after me. I believe that’s ultimately how we as leaders can advance our communities.
Practical Takeaways
- Kurt Strudwick emphasizes the value of multicultural representation in improving decision-making and building trust with underserved communities. Having leaders with varying backgrounds and perspectives helps organizations avoid blind spots and design systems that truly meet patients’ needs.
- You belong. You belong even in a space where you don’t see people who look like you. You don’t have to wait for a formal role to lead—confidence and presence can inspire others at any level. Practicing leadership early prepares you to step into larger responsibilities when the opportunity comes.
- Engage with this important conversation by reaching out to Hall Render attorneys Mayo Alao at malao@hallrender.com or Rubin Pusha at rpusha@hallrender.com for more insights on advancing inclusive leadership and improving patient care in the industry.
About Kurt Strudwick
Kurt Strudwick is the System Assistant Vice President of Operations at Virtua Health, where he leads operational strategy for the system-wide cardiac service line. He brings to this role deep experience in both clinical care and health care operations, having served as a Respiratory Therapist at Johns Hopkins Hospital before progressing to key leadership roles, including Director of Clinical Operations at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center. Kurt holds a Master of Science in Health Informatics from the University of Miami and maintains credentials as a Registered Respiratory Therapist and Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist. He also completed executive leadership education at Harvard Business School. A dedicated advocate for equity and representation in healthcare leadership, Kurt is an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), and the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE).
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Hall Render blog posts and articles are intended for informational purposes only. For ethical reasons, Hall Render attorneys cannot—outside of an attorney-client relationship—answer specific questions that would be legal advice.
