Andrea Stephenson

Andrea Stephenson Royster is the CEO of the Health Council of Southeast Florida (HCSEF), one of 11 local health planning councils established by the Florida state legislature. In this role, she leads a team of dedicated professionals committed to providing an array of services, including health planning, community health, and population health management; program development and evaluation; chronic disease management; and promoting healthy lifestyles for residents of Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties.

Ms. Royster also serves as the CEO of the Lake Okeechobee Rural Health Network (LORHN), one of the nine rural health networks in the state, created by Florida Statute to address specific health-related challenges facing residents in Glades, Hendry, Martin, Okeechobee, and rural Palm Beach County.

With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Medical Sociology, a Master’s in Health Science and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Florida, Ms. Royster brings over two decades of experience in healthcare and human services. Throughout her career, she has focused on improving access to healthcare, addressing health challenges, and advocating for those in need. She has been mainly dedicated to efforts in cross-sector collaboration, data integration for decision-making, and implementing effective community engagement strategies.

Ms. Royster is also a skilled facilitator and trainer and has taught as an adjunct professor, instructing undergraduate students in various health administration topics.

Ms. Royster is a graduate of Leadership Palm Beach County (Class of 2005), received the Palm Beach County Medical Society's Heroes in Medicine Award for Community Involvement (2005), was recognized by Success South Florida as one of the "Top 40 Professionals Under 40" (2006), and was selected for inclusion in Who's Who in Black South Florida (2007). Legacy Magazine has also recognized her as one of the "25 Most Influential Women in Business" (2011), one of the "25 Most Powerful Professionals" (2012), one of the "Top Healthcare Professionals" (2018), and one of the "50 Most Powerful Leaders in Business & Industry" (2019).

Ms. Royster currently serves on the Board of Trustees with Palm Health Foundation and the Board of Directors with Everglades Area Health Education Center (AHEC).