Baptist Health names new chair and vice chair of the system board of directors

Baptist Health is pleased to announce the newest leaders of its system board of directors. Joe Louis Barrow Jr. has been appointed as chair of the board and Deborah Pass Durham has been appointed vice chair.

The Baptist Health board of directors is responsible for advising and guiding the strategy, goals, objectives, programs and activities of the only locally governed, faith-based, not-for-profit health care system in Northeast Florida.

Barrow is the retired chief executive officer of The First Tee, a positive youth development organization that introduces the game of golf and its values to young people. Through The First Tee's educational programs, young people learn life-enhancing values such as perseverance, integrity, judgment, and confidence using golf as the platform.

Prior to joining The First Tee, Barrow served as president and chief operating officer of IZZO Systems, Inc., directing company operations, domestically and internationally.

Barrow has been a member of the Baptist Health system board since 2005 serving in various leadership roles, and he is a member of the inaugural Baptist Medical Center Clay board. Barrow replaces Richard L. Sisisky as board chair, who served in this role since 2017. Sisisky will remain on the board as a member.

Pass Durham is founder and principal at Potentiae, a company that advises growing businesses. She has been widely recognized for her business and civic activities including Women Power Hitters, 40 under 40, Top Women-Owned Businesses, Inc. 500, First Coast 50, and OneJax Humanitarian Award.

Prior to founding Potentiae, she was president of ATS Services, a national employment services company, for more than 15 years. Pass Durham's other community involvement includes serving on the boards Wolfson Children's Hospital and The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida. She also is a past chair of The Jacksonville Aviation Authority.

Pass Durham is replacing Barrow as vice chair. She was first elected to the Baptist Health board in 2017 and has been chair of the Social Responsibility and Community Health Committee. She also serves as board chair on the new Baptist Medical Center Clay board of directors.

"Our board plays a vital role in our organization and our region," said Michael A. Mayo, DHA, FACHE, president and CEO of Baptist Health. "Local governance is key to ensuring we continue to be agile in anticipating and meeting the future health needs of our growing community. It is a privilege to work closely with such extraordinary volunteer leaders who are so deeply committed to our mission, vision and values!"