Baptist Health of Northeast Florida names new COO

The largest locally owned and governed health system in Northeast Florida, Baptist Health, names Matt Zuino as the organization’s new executive vice president and chief operating officer. With 20 years of experience in health system operations and physician integration leadership, Zuino’s role is instrumental in aligning and transforming operations across the continuum of care, with a focus on health.

Zuino joined Baptist Health as President of Physician Integration in 2017 from Virtua Health, South New Jersey’s largest health system. As SVP and COO of hospital operations at Virtua Health, he led three hospitals totaling 920 beds. In his new role at Baptist Health, Zuino has oversight for hospital and ambulatory operations totaling more than 125 points of care across the North Florida and South Georgia region.

“Matt’s experience aligns precisely with our vision for the future, and his role is critical in ensuring we fold down the hospital walls to deliver care and promote health in ways that are convenient to and valued by all we serve,” said Brett McClung, President and CEO of Baptist Health.

Zuino succeeds John Wilbanks, FACHE, who served at Baptist Health for 34 years and was named one of the Top COOs in Healthcare by Modern Healthcare in 2017 and 2018.

“If ever there was a situation where I had the opportunity to build on the shoulders of giants and help forge the future of health care, this is it.  I couldn’t be more honored or excited,” Zuino said.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Widener University in Chester, Pennsylvania, and his Master of Science in information systems from Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt who is well-versed in the techniques and tools of process improvement. He completed the GE Administrative Executive Fellowship for senior executives from the Healthcare Management Academy.