Propelled with Purpose: PUC Alum David Banks Named New AdventHealth CEO

Throughout his 31 years at AdventHealth, becoming CEO of a major health system was not necessarily a role David Banks aspired to hold — but his leadership roles in hospital administration, divisional oversight, and as chief strategy officer prepared him well when the CEO opportunity emerged. For Banks, the timing aligned with where he was in life and career — and where the organization was heading.

“I'm really grateful to work with a mission-driven Board of Directors and AdventHealth team, and to have the partnership of our sponsor organization, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, within our mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ through whole-person care," said Banks. "For me and many others at the organization, I see the ways Adventist education prepared us for today's work, which requires a strong foundation."

Banks regularly meets with leaders, caregivers, the Board, and team members in the service of AdventHealth's mission. He invests time connecting with church sponsors, who are an essential part of AdventHealth, and talks with team members to ensure the company is advancing its mission, meeting industry needs, and advocating for those they serve who need access to care, ranging from rural to more populated communities.

Originally from Sonora, CA, Banks immersed himself in the world of health care from a young age. His mother began working at the local Adventist hospital, which marked the beginning of a new direction for his family. They started attending the local Adventist church and academy, and his sisters began working in Adventist education. "Our family got involved within the three pillars of Adventist subculture: church, education, and health," said Banks. His first job was at the local community hospital, sweeping sidewalks and mowing lawns. His parents also worked there; his mother worked the switchboard, and his father worked in maintenance.

“That was my first job in health care,” said Banks. “At the time, I thought of it as simply a summer job. Looking back, I see how that job was one of many ways the Adventist Church changed the trajectory of my family, as we found a place within a larger purpose and community — giving our lives meaning and direction. Some people would describe that work as simply mowing lawns, but I saw it as a way to give back and to become involved within the fabric of the church community.”

After graduating from high school, he attended PUC without question–as it was the “pathway of the Banks family.” Having a sister who was 10 years older, he remembered dropping her off at PUC when he was a kid and thought, “It was the most amazing campus ever.” Banks said, “Academically, socially, spiritually, there were so many benefits coming out of PUC and seeing the benefits for my sister—I knew I had to get there.” In 1982, he officially became a Pioneer, and his time at the college “did not disappoint.”

Majoring in social work, Banks had extraordinarily supportive professors across departments, including Evaline West, Aubyn Fulton, and Greg Schneider, who all had a professional impact on him by testing his interest in the field and offering “intellectually stimulating” classes. He also mentioned having great history professors and resident deans, recalling PUC as “a really fun campus to be a part of,” and strengthening his spiritual life by living in a positive environment and guidance from Roger Bothwell, the campus pastor at the time.

Throughout his underclassman years, Banks worked the grounds, as it was second nature to him, and spent a year as a missionary in Korea, teaching English and Bible studies to students. West inspired Banks to become a student missionary after seeing his potential and, unbeknownst to Banks, advocated for him to go on this mission trip. Despite Banks describing himself as not being “a very good student” and still navigating his spiritual life, West knew, through interactions and experiences, that he would find his way. "And she was right,” said Banks. After living in a different country, connecting with others, and gaining perspective, being a missionary provided him with a foundation for spiritual, social, and academic growth.

Being a student missionary gave Banks a critical perspective when he returned to PUC and began working as a house parent for 6 9-year-old boys who were wards of the state. Continuing his education in social work, this work experience provided Banks with significant exposure to the foster care world —a valuable lifelong experience.

During his senior year, Banks gained more leadership experience by working for the state senator at a nonprofit organization. This experience sparked his interest in working in the not-for-profit sector and in supporting service organizations committed to creating positive impact within society.

A favorite memory Banks has from his time at PUC was dating his now-wife, Janice (Lang) Banks. Although they were classmates at Monterey Bay Academy, they did not start dating until college. After graduating from PUC in 1987, they married, and Banks went on to earn his  master’s degree in nonprofit administration from the University of Maryland's School of Social Work.

Banks credits PUC for preparing him for his graduate work at the University of Maryland, a top-15 social work school in the country at the time. Earning his master’s degree enabled him to secure his first healthcare role at a psychiatric hospital, which led to other opportunities, starting on the patient units and progressing to becoming the psychiatric hospital's CEO, then the CEO of medical-surgery.

Now, as CEO of AdventHealth, the social worker in Banks wants to continue serving and helping those in times of crisis. “Life gets real in a health crisis. Being able to show up for people in those spaces and help find the solutions they need is rewarding,” he said. “We know science has limitations. We can’t win every time and cure every illness. What’s amazing about what we get to do is even when medical treatment runs out, being a faith-based Adventist institution means we can continue the conversation. When the medical conversation ends, the larger conversation continues around life, what happens next, and peace — being part of something bigger. That’s really meaningful. When you can’t cure, we can go the whole journey with people as they go through life. It’s really rewarding.”

“PUC gave me my future,” Banks continued. “Good university experience teaches you how to think, not what to think. During my first two years, I was not a good student. After missions, I became a completely different student. PUC gave me that opportunity. Trying to figure my way during my freshman and sophomore years, PUC gave me time to figure it out. Gave me a year away to grow up. Then, I came back to focused academic experiences in classrooms and field experiences that launched me into grad school. The PUC experience integrated social, spiritual, and academic formation—offered in the best geography and climate.”

To this day, Banks carries many valuable lessons from his time at PUC. As a student, he worked full-time to pay for his tuition, which instilled a work-hard, high-expectations mindset for academic work. His experiences at PUC taught him to be resourceful, manage time, and get things done. “It also showed my future wife that I could do laundry, cook, and more as part of my work at the group home,” he humorously added.

From studying higher education and having dedicated professors, PUC helped shape who Banks is today. “PUC gave me life and academic experiences,” he said. “It was an amazing, well-rounded experience that, as Janice and I left and graduated, we were prepared to go into the world. PUC did that.”