Matt Zuino named Chief Executive Officer of Baptist Health

The Board of Directors of Baptist Health has appointed Matthew A. Zuino, MSIS, FACHE, as the organization’s next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 17, 2026.

Zuino, who has served as Chief Operating Officer since 2020, will succeed Michael A. Mayo, DHA, FACHE, who announced earlier this year his plans to retire as Baptist Health’s CEO after a distinguished four-decade career in health care leadership.

“Matt is a visionary leader with a proven track record of driving strategic results and operational excellence while consistently prioritizing people and community,” said Deborah Pass Durham, Chair of the Baptist Health Board of Directors. “The Board is extremely confident Matt will lead Baptist Health into the future with clarity, purpose and passion.”

A forward-thinking executive with more than 30 years of health care experience, Zuino has been instrumental in establishing Baptist Health as a high-performing, community-focused organization recognized nationally for clinical excellence and compassionate care.

As COO, Zuino oversees operations across hospitals, physician practices and ambulatory services, driving measurable gains in quality, access and financial sustainability. Under his leadership, net revenue has grown from $2 billion in FY 2020 to a projected $3.7 billion in FY 2026, while advancing Baptist Health’s commitment to investment in its team members, physicians, patients and community. He is widely credited as a key architect of the organization’s vision for 2030, a strategic operational roadmap for growth and innovation.

“This is an exciting, transformational time at Baptist Health,” said Zuino. “I feel very fortunate to build upon our 70-year legacy as the area’s only locally headquartered, mission-driven, faith-based health system. Our future will be defined by how well we listen, innovate and accelerate our commitment to those we serve as we look toward 2030 and beyond.”

Before joining Baptist Health in 2017 as President of Physician Integration, Zuino spent 17 years at Virtua Health in New Jersey, where he served as Senior Vice President of Hospital Services and Chief Operating Officer of Virtua Medical Group.

He earned a Master of Science in Information Systems from Drexel University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Widener University. A Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Zuino also serves on the Board of Directors of United Way of Northeast Florida, where he will soon become Vice Chair.

“Matt has been instrumental in uniting our leaders together around strategic vision, shared goals and measurable outcomes,” said Dr. Mayo, outgoing CEO. “At the same time, he understands that excellence in health care isn’t just about metrics–it’s about culture, connection and the ability to improve lives. I am confident that he will continue Baptist Health’s legacy as North Florida’s trusted leader in community health and well-being.”