An accomplished and respected health care executive, Jaros will join Baptist Health in January 2023.
Jacksonville, FL, October 7, 2022 – Following a nationwide search, Baptist Health in Northeast Florida is pleased to announce the appointment of Allegra Jaros, MBA, as hospital president for Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
Jaros will join Wolfson Children’s as hospital president in January 2023, succeeding Michael D. Aubin, FACHE, who served as hospital president from January 2011 to October 3, 2022. Under Aubin’s leadership, Wolfson Children’s Hospital grew into a regional network of pediatric care designed to ensure access to high-quality specialty care for every child in our region. As Wolfson Children’s Hospital president, Jaros will continue to advance its mission of improving the health of the region’s children through patient- and family-centered care, education, research and child advocacy.
Since 2014, Jaros has served as president of John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital in Buffalo, N.Y., a regional pediatric referral center for trauma, surgical and medical care, including neonatal, perinatal, and obstetric services. Jaros is responsible for successfully completing the design and development of the $272 million Oishei Children’s Hospital, which opened in 2017. In addition, she is responsible for enterprise-wide strategy execution as system vice president for Kaleida Health. Kaleida is Western New York’s largest health care system, which includes 11 hospitals, two skilled nursing facilities, two joint-ventured surgery centers, a large physician practice group, and an academic partnership with University at Buffalo Medical School. Prior to her current role, she held progressive leadership roles at Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo and was named its Chief Operating Officer in 2012.
“Allegra is an energetic, innovative senior executive who has spent the last 22 years of her career with a specific focus on providing outstanding care to women and children,” says Michael A. Mayo, DHA, FACHE, president and CEO of Baptist Health. “In addition to her significant operational acumen, her work in health equity, strategic relationships, and team engagement are exemplary – she will be a tremendous asset to our organization and our region.”
“Because Wolfson Children’s plays a critically important role in the lives of children and families in our community and beyond, I am particularly excited about welcoming Allegra to our senior leadership team,” said Matt Zuino, FACHE, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Baptist Health. “Her strategic mindset, passion for fostering a strong, collaborative culture and a determined focus on driving exceptional quality are an excellent fit for leading our next chapter of growth and impact in child health.”
After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance, Jaros earned her Master of Business Administration degree with an emphasis on health care from Canisius College in Buffalo, NY, and was recognized as an “Outstanding MBA.” She currently serves on the Children’s Hospital Association Finance Committee and is affiliated with the Child Health Corporation of America. She graduated from Leadership Buffalo (class of 2011) and has been recognized numerous times as one of the most influential leaders in Western New York Healthcare, as well as receiving the Buffalo Business First Power 250 Award, Power 200 Women Award, Woman of Distinction Award, and being recognized among Buffalo Business First’s 40 Under 40 (2007).
Jaros is married and is the mother of two children.
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About Baptist Health
Baptist Health is a faith-based, mission-driven system in Northeast Florida comprised of Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville; Baptist Medical Center Beaches; Baptist Medical Center Nassau; Baptist Medical Center South and Wolfson Children’s Hospital – the region’s only children’s hospital. All Baptist Health hospitals have achieved Magnet™ status for excellence in patient care. Baptist Health is part of Coastal Community Health, a highly integrated regional hospital network focused on significant initiatives designed to enhance the quality and value of care provided to our contiguous communities. Baptist Health has the area’s only dedicated heart hospital; orthopedic institute; women’s services; neurological institute, including comprehensive neurosurgical services, a comprehensive stroke center and two primary stroke centers; a Bariatric Center of Excellence; a full range of psychology and psychiatry services; urgent care services; primary and specialty care physicians’ offices throughout Northeast Florida; and Baptist Home Health Care by BAYADA. The Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center is a regional destination for multidisciplinary cancer care, which is clinically integrated with the MD Anderson Cancer Center, the internationally renowned cancer treatment and research institution in Houston. For more details, visit baptistjax.com.
About Wolfson Children’s Hospital of Jacksonville
Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, is a part of Baptist Health, Northeast Florida’s most comprehensive health system serving every stage of life. Wolfson Children’s is the only children’s hospital in Northeast Florida and serves as the pediatric referral center for North Florida, South Georgia and beyond. Staffed 24/7 by pediatric nurses and other healthcare professionals specially trained to work with children, the 276-bed, patient- and family-centered hospital features the latest pediatric medical technology in a welcoming, child-friendly environment. At Wolfson Children’s, nationally recognized pediatric specialists representing nearly every medical and surgical specialty work with pediatricians to provide care for children of all ages with congenital heart conditions, cancer, neurological disorders, diabetes and endocrinology disorders, orthopedic conditions, behavioral health conditions, traumatic injuries, and more. Wolfson Children’s collaborates with pediatric organizations, including Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, the University of Florida College of Medicine—Jacksonville and Mayo Clinic Florida. A Magnet™-designated hospital since 2010, Wolfson Children’s Hospital has been named among the U.S. News & World Report 50 Best Children’s Hospitals year after year, and in 2021, was selected as one of only eight children’s hospitals in the country as a Leapfrog Top Children’s Hospital, a recognition of patient quality and safety. Wolfson Children’s Hospital relies on the generosity of members of our community. To support Wolfson Children’s Hospital, please visit wolfsonchildrens.com.
