Heather Augustyniak, DNP, MBA, FNP-C
Executive Director, Advanced Practice Providers, Baptist Medical Group
Advanced Practice Providers
Building Careers. Advancing Practice. Transforming Care.
Advanced Practice Providers Main Content
Advanced Practice Providers are essential to how Baptist Health delivers exceptional, patient-centered care. Whatever stage you're at — beginning your career, changing specialties, or joining with years of experience — you'll find onboarding, professional development, and leadership pathways built to support you.
"At Baptist Health, we are committed to advancing physician-led, team-based care models where APPs serve as valued clinical partners, bringing complementary expertise to deliver exceptional, patient-centered care."
Edward Gorak, DO, MBA, MS, FACP
Senior Vice President, Baptist Medical Group
APPs at Baptist Health
- Physician Assistants (PAs)
- Nurse Practitioners (NPs)
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs)
- Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants (CAAs)
- Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs)
Advanced Practice Providers Additional Content Section 1
Why Advanced Practice Providers Choose Baptist Health
At Baptist Health, Advanced Practice Providers are an integral part of how we care for our patients and communities. More than 1,000 APPs practice across our health system, including more than 300 employed within Baptist Medical Group, providing care in hospitals, outpatient clinics, operating rooms, emergency departments, specialty practices, and community-based settings throughout Northeast Florida.
Our APPs work within collaborative, team-based models that support practice at the top of their education and training while expanding access, advancing quality, and contributing to exceptional patient care.
"Choosing where to build your career is one of the most important decisions you'll make. At Baptist Health, we are committed to creating an environment where Advanced Practice Providers are supported, challenged, and empowered to grow."
Heather Augustyniak, DNP, MBA, APRN, FNP-C
Executive Director of Advanced Practice Providers, Baptist Medical Group
Advanced Practice Providers Additional Content Section 2
Your Career. Supported at Every Stage.
Whether you are a student exploring advanced practice, a new graduate beginning your career, an experienced APP joining Baptist Health, transitioning into a new specialty, or preparing for your next leadership opportunity, we believe professional development should continue throughout your career. That commitment is brought together through the APPRISE Center of Excellence.
- System and specialty-specific onboarding
- Competency development and validation
- Continuing education and professional development
- Preceptor development and mentorship
- Leadership development
- Scholarly work, research, and quality improvement
- Student and workforce pipeline initiatives
- Professional engagement and well-being resources
Advanced Practice Providers Additional Content Section 3
APP Leadership & Engagement
APPs are recognized as leaders throughout Baptist Health and the communities we serve. In addition to serving in dedicated APP leadership positions, our providers hold representative roles on Medical Staff Boards across the health system and contribute to key committees that advance quality, patient safety, clinical operations, education, workforce development, and strategic planning.
Beyond formal leadership and governance, APPs lead and participate in the APP Employee Resource Group (ERG), fostering mentorship, professional networking, volunteerism, advocacy, leadership development, and recognition. Many of our APPs also extend their impact beyond our organization by serving as educators, clinical preceptors, professional society leaders, conference speakers, community volunteers, and advocates for the APP profession at the local, state, and national levels.
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APP Employee Resource Group
Mentorship, networking and advocacy for APPs system-wide
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National APP Week
Our annual celebration of APPs' contributions.
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Annual APP Symposium
Bringing together APPs from across the system every Fall for learning, networking, innovation, and collaboration.
Advanced Practice Providers Additional Content Section 4
Career Opportunities
"I chose Baptist because it gives me the opportunity to better serve my neighbors and make a meaningful impact within my own community."
Justin McGinnis, PA-C
Baptist Orthopedics
Advanced Practice Providers Additional Content Section 5
Education and Training
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The APPRISE Center of Excellence
Standardized core education and specialty-specific training to support your transition into practice and ongoing professional growth.
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System Grand Rounds
Evidence-based clinical insights and expert-led case discussions and practical strategies to elevate your practice and patient care.
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CME events for APPs
In-person and virtual conferences, symposiums, and dinners offering practice-based continuing medical education.
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Baptist Behavioral Health Fellowship Program
A Psychiatric APP Fellowship for APRNs and PAs with a Psychiatric-Mental Health specialty. Requires a Master's degree or Doctorate, Florida licensure, and ANCC board certification.
Advanced Practice Providers Additional Content Section 6
System APP Leaders
Our System APP Leaders provide vision, advocacy, and support for advanced practice providers across Baptist Health, helping shape a collaborative culture focused on excellence in patient care, professional growth, and operational leadership, aligned with the overall goals of the health system.
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Meghan Hall, MSPAS, PA-C
Advanced Practice Provider Professional Development Specialist, Baptist Health
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Devon Anthony, MPAS, PA-C
Advanced Practice Provider Professional Development Specialist, Baptist Health
Clinical APP Leadership
We also have dedicated service line leadership. Our APP Specialty Directors and APP Supervisors work alongside physician and administrative leaders to foster clinical excellence, collaboration, professional growth and a strong sense of connection within teams.