Baptist Health announced June 1 that it named interim CEO Michael Mayo as the next president and CEO of the Jacksonville-based hospital system, effective immediately.
Mayo was selected for the interim role after former CEO Brett McClung’s departure in April. Mayo most recently served as president of Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville, the system’s Southbank hospital.
The Baptist Health board unanimously chose to forgo a CEO search, the news release said.
“Michael is a high energy leader with experience in both not-for-profit and for-profit health systems. He believes in a culture of trust and collaboration,” Baptist Health board Chair Richard Sisisky said in the release.
“His vision for the future along with his successful and effective track record of evaluating, restructuring, building and improving operational processes make him a perfect fit as the new CEO for Baptist.”
Mayo, 66, has more than 32 years of health care executive experience, including as CEO of Orange Park Medical Center, CEO of Kentucky’s Frankfort Regional Medical Center, COO of Memorial Hospital and president of Methodist Dallas Medical Center.
He joined as president of Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville in 2011.
As CEO, he will oversee five hospitals, four emergency centers, 55 primary care offices and 13,000 employees.
“It is a rare privilege to lead the only faith-based, mission-driven, locally governed, non-profit health system in our region,” Mayo said in the release.
“These characteristics have set Baptist apart, and this opportunity energizes me.”
Mayo received a bachelor’s degree in human resource management from the University of Alabama, a master’s degree in health care administration from Texas Woman’s University and a doctorate in health administration from the Medical University of South Carolina.
“What’s most important is finding the person with the exemplary character, cultural fit, and commitment to our mission,” board Vice Chair Joe Louis Barrow Jr. said in the release.
“Michael is someone who will continue a legacy of thought leadership in Northeast Florida and throughout health care nationally.”