Hospital chief leads by example to make her staff healthier

Striding the halls of Penrose Hospital one of four she runs, Margaret Sabin, in a perfectly tailored suit, stylish coif and purposeful air, looks every bit the president and CEO she is.

Twenty minutes later, not so much. The confidence and determination remain (though the hair is rapidly losing its bounce). But now she's in workout garb, sweating, laughing, shouting, encouraging as she leads 30 or so folks in a kick-butt exercise class in the hospital's fitness room.

Twice a week, no matter what thorny budget issues she's wrangling with or high-level hire she's attempting to orchestrate, Sabin, 53, does her quick-change routine into workout instructor (she got certified in 2001 and goes through the renewal requirements every year).