OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Welcome to Who’s Who in the 352, an exclusive 352Today feature in which we get to know some of our region’s movers and shakers a little better. This week’s subject is Levonda Goodson, CEO of West Ocala’s Estella Byrd Whitman Community Health Center.
What initially led you toward a career in healthcare?
I’ve always had a genuine love for people and a strong desire to help. Early on I realized I couldn’t stand to watch others suffer, so I chose a path where I could give of myself in a meaningful, practical way. Being able to help others has been one of the greatest rewards of my life.
You’ve done a variety of jobs in the industry–how important do you think it is for people in administrational or managerial roles to have experience “in the trenches,” as it were, of medical care?
Frontline experience matters a great deal. Working directly in patient care gives leaders real context for decisions, helps them prioritize what truly matters, and builds trust with clinical staff. That said, effective leadership also requires listening, learning, and surrounding yourself with people who bring complementary skills.
What knowledge and experience as an LPN and EBWCHC board member help you in your role as CEO?
My LPN training taught me to be detail‑oriented, patient‑centered, and steady under pressure–skills I rely on every day as CEO. Serving on the EBWCHC board expanded my understanding of governance, budgeting, policy, and stakeholder engagement. Combining clinical experience with operational leadership is both rare and highly valuable: It lets me translate frontline realities into practical organizational decisions, align clinical priorities with financial and operational goals, and build trust between staff and leadership. That blend of hands‑on care and administrative experience helps me make decisions that are compassionate, realistic, and sustainable for the organization.
What was your role as a Program Manager during the COVID shutdown? What do you think we learned, or maybe needed to learn but didn’t, from the pandemic?
As Program Manager, I coordinated staffing, patient outreach, and rapid shifts in service delivery–telehealth, triage protocols, and safety measures. The pandemic showed us how quickly we can adapt and also highlighted the need for clearer contingency plans and stronger communication channels across teams and partners.
I read you’re a poet–what inspires your writing?
I write to make sense of what I see and feel–moments of resilience, small acts of kindness, and the textures of everyday life. Poetry helps me slow down and notice details that often get lost in the rush of work. It’s a personal practice that keeps me grounded and more present in both leadership and life.
What sets Estella Byrd Whitman Community Health Center apart from other hospitals or providers in the area?
We strive to provide high‑quality care with the warmth and familiarity of a small, family‑style clinic. As a true neighborhood medical home and community health center, we combine clinical excellence with deep local relationships, accessible services, and culturally responsive care. Our approach brings the service and standards of private practices together with the heart of an old‑time doctor’s office–personal, attentive, and rooted in long‑term relationships–so patients are treated as whole people, not just appointments.
How do you see the facility’s role growing and changing to meet the emerging medical needs of the growing West Ocala community, in particular those who may not have sufficient, or even any, coverage?
We’ll expand access, strengthen preventive services, and continue to build partnerships with our community to reach uninsured and underinsured residents. This work takes an “All hands on deck” approach. Our growth will focus on practical, community‑driven solutions–more outreach, flexible scheduling, and programs that remove barriers to care, so people can get the services they need when they need them.