Administration

Administrator

Joe Mitrick, FACHE, was named Administrator of Baptist Medical Center Downtown (Baptist Downtown) in May 2005. Mitrick previously acted as Vice President of Professional Services, Baptist St. Vincent's, before serving as the Administrator of Baptist Medical Center Beaches (Baptist Beaches) for eight years.

Mitrick earned his bachelor's degree from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, and his master's degree in health administration from Ohio State University in Columbus.

Mitrick is a fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. He serves on the boards of OneJax, Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, and the Health America Credit Union. He is an Assistant Chairman for First Aid Services at the Players' Championship. He previously served in the Duval divisions of the American Heart Association (as Vice President of the board) and the American Cancer Society, and is a past Chairperson of the Beaches Division of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Vice President, Patient Care Services

Kathleen Murray has served in her current role at Baptist Health since August 2005. She is responsible for all activities and operations related to patient service in the following departments: Perioperative (postsurgical) Services, Emergency Services (including Life Flight), Cardiovascular Services, Baptist Heart Hospital, Clinical Practice, Oncology, Radiation Services, and Women’s Services. She previously served as Vice President/Chief Nurse Executive for Meridian Health Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, New Jersey.

Murray earned her registered nurse diploma at Christ Hospital School of Nursing in Jersey City, New Jersey. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey, and her Master of Science degree in Nursing as an adult nurse practitioner at Monmouth University Graduate School of Nursing in West Long Branch, New Jersey.

Murray has earned a number of nursing awards, including the Nursing Research Award from the American Association of Clinical Nurses, Shoreline Chapter, the Hannelore M. Sweetwood Nursing Research Award from Jersey Shore Medical Center, and ADVANCE for Nurses trade publication’s 2004 “Best Nurse Leaders-Uniter” award.

Vice President, Operations

Stephen Lee, EdD, was named to his current position in January 2009. In this capacity, he is responsible for leadership and management of the hospital's ancillary and outpatient departments, including Imaging, Pharmacy, Pulmonology, Rehabilitation, Baptist Cancer Institute, Baptist Eye Institute, Hospitalists and Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute.

Previously, Lee served as the Assistant Administrator of Clinical and Support Services at Baptist Medical Center South for five years. He was responsible for the Emergency Department, Cardiopulmonary, Radiation Oncology, Laboratory, Rehabilitation Services, Imaging, Health Information Management, Plant Facilities, Security, Environmental Services, Food and Nutrition, and Patient Access Services. He played an integral part in the creation of Baptist South's system of accesses and processes for the electronic environment.

Lee is a graduate of the Executive Fellowship program with the Health Care Advisory Board in Washington, D.C. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Florida, his master's degree in Education from the University of North Florida, and his doctorate degree from Florida State University.

After serving eight years in the banking industry, Lee began his health care career in a private physician's office in 1988, where he spent the next five years. In 1993, he began a long and rewarding relationship with Baptist Health.

Vice President, Operations, and Chief Resource Officer

Marianne Hillegass began her employment with Baptist Health as a Financial Analyst in 1987 and has served in her role as Vice President of Operations and Chief Resource Officer since 1997. She is responsible for Materials Management; Accounts Payable; Safety, Security, and Parking; Laundry/Linen; Environmental Services; Food and Nutrition Services; Laboratory Services; and Property Management/Space Planning.

Hillegass teaches Leadership Business and Finance Series classes for Baptist Health leadership, as well as the Finance Series for the "Emerging Leaders" Program. She earned her Green Belt certification in 2008 as part of the Operational Performance Improvement (OPI) Initiative and facilitates several OPI Teams.

Prior to joining Baptist Health, Hillegass served as Contracts Administration and Finance Manager for Americorp, Inc., managing government contracts for Base Operating Services at many military bases across the country. Previously, she was employed by Florida Publishing Company, then publishers of The Florida Times Union, holding positions in Human Resources, Financial Planning and Purchasing.

Hillegass earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Business Administration from Jacksonville University, and her master's in Health Administration from the University of North Florida (UNF). She also received an "Award for Academic Excellence" in Graduate Studies from UNF.

Hillegass is a member of American College of Healthcare Executives, Healthcare Financial Management Association and Leadership Jacksonville Alumnae Association. She served as a Board Member and Tribute Event Chair for Community Connections of Jacksonville; Board Member, Selection Committee Team Captain and Selection Committee Chair for Leadership Jacksonville' and Chair of the Volunteer Accounting Committee, Member of the Resource Management Cabinet and Finance Committee for the United Way of Northeast Florida.