A conversation with Khelsea Bauer
There are some interviews that feel more like a real conversation, and that is exactly how it felt sitting down with Khelsea Bauer, CEO of AdventHealth DeLand.
As we head into May, with both Mother’s Day and National Women’s Health Month, it felt like the right time to hear from a woman who is leading in a major way while also living the same balancing act so many women in our community know well. What stood out to me right away was how warm and approachable Khelsea is. Yes, she is the CEO of our local hospital, but she also came across as a wife, a mom, and someone who truly loves DeLand.
When Khelsea talks about this community, you can tell it is personal. She shared how much she loves the sense of connection here, from downtown DeLand to the familiar faces you seem to run into everywhere. She said that when families walk into AdventHealth DeLand, she hopes they feel seen, respected, and cared for as whole people. That really stayed with me, because it says so much about the kind of culture she wants to lead.
One of my favorite parts of our conversation was hearing how she defines leadership. Early in her career, she asked a mentor what made her such an effective leader. The answer was simple: kindness. Khelsea has never forgotten that. She said kindness is the bedrock of how she leads, and I loved the way she explained it. Kindness is not weakness. It is doing hard things while still seeing and valuing people. That perspective feels especially meaningful in health care.
Our conversation naturally turned to women’s health, and Khelsea spoke about it in such an honest, relatable way. She knows how easy it is for women, especially moms, to put themselves last. She admitted she has done it too. After having children, she put off getting physical therapy care she knew she needed. But once she finally made the appointment, it helped her feel healthier, stronger, and more able to enjoy everyday life with her family. Her point was simple but important: taking care of yourself is not selfish, it is essential.
For women who are overdue on caring for themselves, she encouraged starting with a few basics: prioritize spiritual and mental well-being, schedule overdue checkups and screenings, and move your body each day, even if it is just a short walk after dinner. She also emphasized the importance of routine screenings like mammograms, cervical cancer screenings, and annual wellness exams. These appointments may be easy to push off, but they matter because early detection can make a life-changing difference.
Another thing I appreciated was how passionate she is about women being heard in medical settings. Khelsea encouraged women to come prepared, write down their questions, and advocate for themselves. She was clear that medicine is not one-size-fits-all, and women deserve providers who listen and treat them as active partners in their care.
Khelsea also shared some of what is ahead for AdventHealth DeLand, including expanded women’s services through the gynecological office at Victoria Medical Plaza, more provider access, and continued investment in care for local families. It was clear that she is not only thinking about today’s needs, but about how to serve DeLand well into the future.
And for all she carries professionally, I loved hearing the local side of her life too. Her family loves playing with their kids at Freedom Playground, spending Friday evenings at the Farmers Market, and enjoying simple time together around town. She mentioned Pho Co Noodle House, and I had to laugh because it sounds like the kind of place that probably knows her order by now. She also enjoys stopping into Baker & Co. or Local Style House, which feels very DeLand in the best way.
In a month that reminds us to celebrate moms and encourage women to care for their own health too, I left my time with Khelsea encouraged. She is thoughtful, kind, and clearly invested in this community. More than anything, she seems to understand something many women need to hear: caring for yourself is part of caring for the people you love. And if you happen to see Khelsea around town, be sure to say hello.
