Allegra Jaros named new Wolfson Children’s Hospital of Jacksonville president

Following a nationwide search, Baptist Health in Northeast Florida is pleased to announce the appointment of Allegra Jaros, MBA, as hospital president for Wolfson Children’s Hospital.

Jaros will join Wolfson Children’s as hospital president in January 2023, succeeding Michael D. Aubin, FACHE, who served as hospital president from January 2011 to October 3, 2022. Under Aubin’s leadership, Wolfson Children’s Hospital grew into a regional network of pediatric care designed to ensure access to high-quality specialty care for every child in our region. As Wolfson Children’s Hospital president, Jaros will continue to advance its mission of improving the health of the region’s children through patient- and family-centered care, education, research and child advocacy.

Since 2014, Jaros has served as president of John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital in Buffalo, N.Y., a regional pediatric referral center for trauma, surgical and medical care, including neonatal, perinatal, and obstetric services. Jaros is responsible for successfully completing the design and development of the $272 million Oishei Children’s Hospital, which opened in 2017. In addition, she is responsible for enterprise-wide strategy execution as system vice president for Kaleida Health. Kaleida is Western New York’s largest health care system, which includes 11 hospitals, two skilled nursing facilities, two joint-ventured surgery centers, a large physician practice group, and an academic partnership with University at Buffalo Medical School. Prior to her current role, she held progressive leadership roles at Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo and was named its Chief Operating Officer in 2012.

“Allegra is an energetic, innovative senior executive who has spent the last 22 years of her career with a specific focus on providing outstanding care to women and children,” says Michael A. Mayo, DHA, FACHE, president and CEO of Baptist Health. “In addition to her significant operational acumen, her work in health equity, strategic relationships, and team engagement are exemplary – she will be a tremendous asset to our organization and our region.”

“Because Wolfson Children’s plays a critically important role in the lives of children and families in our community and beyond, I am particularly excited about welcoming Allegra to our senior leadership team,” said Matt Zuino, FACHE, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Baptist Health. “Her strategic mindset, passion for fostering a strong, collaborative culture and a determined focus on driving exceptional quality are an excellent fit for leading our next chapter of growth and impact in child health.”

After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance, Jaros earned her Master of Business Administration degree with an emphasis on health care from Canisius College in Buffalo, NY, and was recognized as an “Outstanding MBA.” She currently serves on the Children's Hospital Association Finance Committee and is affiliated with the Child Health Corporation of America. She graduated from Leadership Buffalo (class of 2011) and has been recognized numerous times as one of the most influential leaders in Western New York Healthcare, as well as receiving the Buffalo Business First Power 250 Award, Power 200 Women Award, Woman of Distinction Award, and being recognized among Buffalo Business First’s 40 Under 40 (2007).

Jaros is married and is the mother of two children.