Baptist Health CEO recognized for helping to shape the future of health care

In recognition of his impact on the delivery of health care, Michael A. Mayo, DHA, FACHE, president and CEO of Baptist Health, was named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s list of “great leaders in health care” for 2024.

The executives featured on the list were commended for their readiness to embrace change in the rapidly evolving health care sector and for leading organizations that are on the forefront of transforming care delivery. They were also recognized for “using innovative digital technology, novel care delivery approaches and creative care solutions to shape the future of health care.”

Dr. Mayo has been the president and CEO of Baptist Health since June 2021 and has more than 30 years of leadership experience in health care. As CEO, he leads more than 14,000 team members and more than 2,000 medical staff in advancing the mission of the not-for-profit, locally owned, locally governed health system serving Northeast Florida and Southern Georgia.

“We are incredibly proud, but not surprised, to see Dr. Mayo included on this prestigious list of leaders shaping the future of health care,” said Mary C. Mayhew, president and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association. “As head of the largest non-profit health care system in North Florida that serves one of the fastest growing populations in the state, he understands the region’s current health needs and is anticipating the future needs of these burgeoning communities. Baptist Health invests in these communities by expanding convenient access to first-rate health care and improving health outcomes.”

“It’s an honor to be recognized by Becker’s Hospital Review for doing what I love,” said Dr. Mayo. “It’s a privilege to lead an organization dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of our community and enriching the lives of those we serve.”

Dr. Mayo serves on the American Hospital Association’s (AHA) Board of Trustees, the association’s highest policymaking body which has ultimate authority for the governance and management of its direction and finances. He also serves as a state delegate of Regional Policy Board 4 (Southeastern U.S.) with the AHA and on the Florida Hospital Association Board of Trustees, representing Region 2.

Committed to educating and training future health care leaders, Dr. Mayo also serves on the Dean’s Council of the University of North Florida (UNF) and has been an adjunct professor in the Master of Health Administration program at the university’s Brooks College of Health since 2017. He also holds several community leadership positions, including serving as a member of the board for the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and for Community Hospice & Palliative Care, a local non-profit hospice.

In 2022 and 2023, he was selected by Florida Trend in the Florida 500 edition as one of the 500 most influential executives in the state and was also recognized as an Ultimate CEO by the Jacksonville Business Journal. In 2023, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Healthcare Education & Leadership by Jacksonville University for his contributions to the healthcare industry and academics.

Dr. Mayo earned his Doctor of Health Administration from the Medical University of South Carolina, his Master of Science in Health Care Administration from Texas Woman’s University, and his Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management from the University of Alabama. He is board-certified in Health Care Management and a fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE). He was elected to the Board of Governors of the ACHE Class of 2022. Dr. Mayo has served as the ACHE Regent for Florida – Northern and Western, on the Healthcare Executive Editorial Board, and on the Regents Advisory Council.