Thabata Ford, FACHE

Thabata Ford, FACHE, serves as Vice President, Operations, Wolfson Children's Hospital.

Prior to joining the hospital in 2013, Ford worked as a Health Care Policy Analyst for the Florida House of Representatives. During her time in the House, she worked on many health care issues including Medicaid Reform, Family and Child Welfare, and Hospital and Facility Regulation. Prior to working in the House, Ford worked for the Florida Governor's Office of Policy and Budget and the Florida Department of Health.

A Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), Ford is active with the local chapter and serves on the Regent Advisory Council. She was named to the Jacksonville Business Journal's 40 Under 40 list for 2019. Her community endeavors include serving as president on the 2021-2022 Board of Trustees for Episcopal Children's Services and as a member of United Way's Women and Local Leadership group, and on the Advisory Board for the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) MHA program. She also is an active member of the Children's Hospital Association's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Group.

A two-time graduate of Florida State University, Ford graduated in 2010 with her Master of Public Health degree and in 2006 with her Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in Criminology. Ford is a native Floridian. She enjoys reading, exercising, cheering on Florida State football, and spending time with her husband Valentino and two daughters, Sasha and Taryn.