Margie Vargas-Hernandez serves as the Chief Human Resources Officer at Memorial Healthcare System, based in south Broward County with over 14,000 caregivers throughout six hospitals and numerous outpatient care locations. She has over 25 years of HR experience in a number of industries including manufacturing, insurance and retail.
Favorite Quote: Only a life lived in the service to others is worth living. — Albert Einstein
Fun Fact: I’m a foodie.
How do you unwind after a long day of work? Listen to classic jazz like John Coltrane.
What challenges have you faced in your career, and how did you overcome them? Most recently, leading evolution of personnel to Human Resources to Human Capital Management. Challenge still continues in various forms. First and foremost, leading a team that has garnered organizational trust and confidence due to high level of competency and effectiveness.
What has been the most monumental moment of your career thus far? My professional journey in healthcare. There’s an alignment of my personal and professional values to the organization’s values and mission.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten? Don’t take it personal.
What qualities make for an outstanding HR professional? Integrity, determination, agility & flexibility, empathy, humility, collaborator and so many more.
How have you adapted your HR skills to COVID? Relying heavily on fast decision making and action orientation.
What are some misconceptions about HR and how do you combat them? Not a business partner and not a profit center. We have shown HR’s value and contributions impacting the bottom line with direct correlation to business strategies. Data, data, data. We are charged with supporting the most valuable asset of the organization = people.
What do you like most about working in HR? Ability to deliver services and solutions enabling our workforce the platform to perform life changing and many times, life saving work.
