Veteran hospital leader takes top job at Bayfront Health St. Petersburg

After five months without a permanent CEO, Bayfront Health St. Petersburg now has a new leader.

Sharon Hays was named CEO effective July 15, a news release from the hospital said.

Hayes has 30 years of healthcare leadership experience, most recently serving as CEO of Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point since February 2018. She’s also been CEO of Palms of Pasadena and the now-shuttered Edward White Hospital in St. Petersburg.

“I’m truly excited to bring my passion for healthcare back to St. Petersburg, where I have spent much of my life and career,” Hayes said in the news release.

Bayfront Health St. Petersburg is the largest hospital in St. Pete, licensed for 480 beds and with a comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation unit on its campus in the city’s Innovation District. Former CEO John and Pamela Modisett, who was chief financial officer, both resigned suddenly in February. Joseph Mullany, who is president and CEO of the seven-hospital Bayfront Health Network, has been serving as interim CEO at Bayfront St. Petersburg since then.

“Sharon’s focus on delivering high quality care and her commitment to continually improving patient satisfaction is evident in her accomplishments at the organizations she’s previously served,” Mullany said in the news release.

He cited a double-digit improvement in patient experiences at a hospital she previously served — the news release did not specify which one — and said she is equally committed to employee satisfaction.

Hayes has a bachelor of science in nursing degree and a masters in business administration from Florida Atlantic University. In addition to her local experience, she’s been chief operating officer and interim CEO at Chippenham Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia; vice president of clinical affairs and chief nursing officer at CJW Medical Center in Richmond; and chief nursing officer at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach.

“I look forward to connecting with our team members, physicians and the community to continually improve the quality of care we deliver, along with growing Bayfront Health’s reputation as a first choice for healthcare in St. Pete,” she said.

Bayfront is owned by Community Health Systems Inc. (NYSE: CYH), a Franklin, Tennessee-based company that has closed or sold about 50 hospitals  since 2017 to pay off debt incurred as a result of its $7.6 billion purchase of Florida-based Health Management Associates in 2014. HMA had bought Bayfront, which previously was independent, in 2013.