New members join boards of Baptist Health hospitals

Baptist Health is pleased to welcome four new members to the Boards of Directors of three of its hospitals: Baptist Medical Center Beaches, Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville and Baptist Medical Center Nassau.

Baptist Health is the only locally governed, faith-based, not-for-profit health care system in Northeast Florida. Its system and hospital boards bring together local leaders and health system professionals – including physicians who offer clinical expertise, operational guidance, and oversight of quality and safety – to uphold the highest standards of care. Comprised of volunteers with a wide range of skills, knowledge and experience, the boards are instrumental in steering the organization’s efforts to expand access to exceptional care and enhance the well-being of our community.

“As volunteers rooted in the communities we serve, our board members generously contribute their time and expertise to help us broaden access to exceptional care,” said Michael A. Mayo, DHA, FACHE, president and CEO at Baptist Health. “They help us remain responsive to our community’s current health needs while preparing us for what’s ahead.”

The newly appointed board members will serve three-year terms.

Baptist Medical Center Beaches

Timothy J. Anderson, JD, is the managing partner of Anderson Financial Partners, Inc. Prior to joining the Ponte Vedra Beach firm, Anderson was a practicing defense litigation attorney specializing in medical malpractice and commercial litigation. His current community involvement includes serving as board chair of Pine Castle, as a guest lecturer at the University of Florida, College of Law and as a member of the Atlantic Beach Police Pension Board. He graduated from Boston College Honors Program with a degree in accounting and finance, attended the London School of Economics and is a graduate of the University of Florida Levin College of Law.

Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville

John Avendano, PhD, is the sixth president and CEO of Florida State College at Jacksonville. With more than 35 years of community college experience, he was previously the president and CEO of Kankakee Community College in Illinois. Dr. Avendano received a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology from Northern Illinois University, a master’s degree in adult continuing education from Northern Illinois University and a doctorate in educational administration and foundations from Illinois State University. He currently sits on the board of Goodwill Industries of North Florida and is a member of JAXUSA, the Jacksonville Civic Council and the Rotary Club of Jacksonville.

Baptist Medical Center Nassau

Erma Brutscher, CPAM, is a retired practice administrator and health care consultant with more than 40 years of revenue cycle and finance experience, including previous leadership positions with Johns Hopkins Health System and Central Maine Medical Center. Since relocating to Nassau County in 2017, Brutscher enjoys serving as a mentor for Take Stock in Children of Nassau County, Inc., supporting the annual Baptist Nassau Golf Tournament and creating and displaying oil paintings from her own photography at local galleries. She attended the University of Maine, where she studied management and organizational studies.

Michael Brooks is a senior vice president, Florida market leader and chief marketing officer for First Port City Bank. He has been recognized as one of the Top 40 Over 40 Professionals in Nassau County, Business Leader of the Year by Nassau Chamber, is the current president of the Leadership Nassau Alumni Association and vice chair of Fernandina Beach Main Street. Brooks also supports many local non-profits, including the Amelia Island Charities Group, Keep Nassau Beautiful, Barnabas and Nassau Education Foundation. He holds associate degrees from the University of Maine at Augusta and Clearwater Christian College.