This December, Tenna Wiles will be retiring from her position as the CEO of the Palm Beach County Medical Society (PBCMS) after serving in that role for 22 years. Originally hired to develop and maintain resources to support physicians in their goal to provide high-quality care in the community, she leaves behind a legacy of innovative, cutting-edge programs that will benefit South Florida for years to come.

“I think we’ve made remarkable progress, and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished,” she says of her tenure. “Healthcare is a challenging world in which to work, and we are lucky to have had incredible physician leaders dedicated to change and improvement.”

Born in Indiana, Wiles was raised in Ft. Lauderdale and attended the University of Florida. She worked as a respiratory therapist for 15 years, moving around the country before returning home. She worked as a senior vice president of the United Way of Palm Beach County for 11 years coordinating funding and community impact projects before joining the medical society.
 
“I liked the idea of moving to PBCMS, because it offered a good blend of healthcare and community not-for-profit experience,” said Wiles. “I also was impressed by the fact that they were real champions of access to healthcare.”
 
Building on her experience with the United Way, Wiles began broadening the organization’s reach in the community with the goal of improving the quality of healthcare and increasing access. In addition to doubling membership, she was also responsible for establishing a not-for-profit charitable organization, Palm Beach County Medical Society Services, which supports many programs, including Project Access.
 
“I’m very proud of Project Access, which is a volunteer network of physicians and other healthcare providers who offer pro bono services to those who are uninsured,” Wiles explained. “So far, it has provided more than $14.5 million in care to 14,000 residents of Palm Beach County.”
 
In 2000, PBCMS also established the Healthcare Emergency Response Coalition (HERC) in response to the anthrax scare. “The first case in America happened in Palm Beach County, and we were ill-equipped to handle it,” said Wiles. “We worked to get funding, and then brought emergency response organizations and community organizations together as a coalition to establish standard protocols and to coordinate and improve the delivery of services.
 
“Over the years, HERC has been recognized as national model and health coalitions have now formed all over the country,” Wiles continued, adding that HERC also responds to natural disasters and public health emergencies. “I am especially proud of the very active role that HERC is playing in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
 
During Wiles’ tenure, the Future Medicine Initiative also was created to provide a roadmap for the future of healthcare in the Palm Beach community. “So many programs have emerged out of that,” said Wiles. “Each year, we hold a summit that explores best practices, identifies challenges, and looks at opportunities to improve. This year’s virtual summit will continue to explore new ways of addressing future healthcare needs.”
 
While Wiles is ready to enjoy “the simpler things in life” at her new home in Port St. Lucie, she is going to miss leading the PBCMS.
 
“I think what I liked best was working with very bright, talented physician leaders and community partners—that really set us apart in the work that we did,” she said, adding that she was very proud of her program staff and the amount of work that they accomplished.
 
Wiles noted that PBCMS has just celebrated its 100-year anniversary and over the past century, has faced many challenges.
 
“It came into existence after the 1918 pandemic and has lasted through wars, bioterrorism, polio, a rapidly growing community, and the Depression … and there’s never been a more important time for physicians to lead and shape the future of healthcare,” she said.
 
“I am confident that we will be able to continue to navigate in the post-COVID era. We have faced challenges before and there will be more in the future, but we can count on strong physician leadership to guide us,” she added. “I know that the PBCMS will continue to make a major difference in shaping the future of healthcare in this community.”