June 16, 2021 – Brian E. Keeley, President & Chief Executive Officer of Baptist Health South Florida, the region’s largest healthcare organization, today announced his plan to retire in 2022.
Keeley began his career as an administrative resident with Baptist Hospital in 1969. After serving four years as an officer of the U.S. Navy Medical Service Corp, he was named Assistant Administrator of the hospital in 1973, Chief Operating Officer in 1979 and CEO in 1986. He oversaw Baptist Hospital’s mergers with South Miami Hospital and Homestead Hospital in 1995, subsequently becoming the President and CEO of the newly formed Baptist Health South Florida.
“It has been my privilege and honor to serve our community alongside some of the most dedicated, compassionate, and brilliant people that I have ever met. Our people are what make Baptist Health so special, and I know they will carry our organization into the future and continue to work tirelessly to care for our patients, families, and each other,” said Keeley. “I’d like to extend my sincerest gratitude to the nearly 24,000 Baptist Health employees, 4,000 physicians, Board members, supporters and volunteers who give the best of themselves daily in support of our important mission.”
Keeley spearheaded the additional growth of the health system that now includes 11 hospitals and 100 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning across Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Under his leadership, Baptist Health has become the largest and most preferred healthcare organization in the region with an operating budget of $4 billion, providing $380 million in charity care and community benefit last year.
Among his proudest accomplishments, Keeley notes Baptist Health being named one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For by Fortune magazine; one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute; and achieving top ranking in U.S. News & World Report year after year.
“Under Brian’s leadership, Baptist Health has grown into a world-class healthcare organization attracting top talent and providing our South Florida communities with exceptional care,” said Baptist Health Board of Trustees Chair, James Carr. “Brian is a true visionary who has elevated healthcare in our community through his servant leadership and his steadfast commitment to this organization and our people.”
With Keeley’s pending retirement, the board has unanimously selected Albert “Bo” Boulenger, current Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, to succeed Keeley. Boulenger began his career with Baptist Health in 1985 at South Miami Hospital. In 1994, he was named CEO of Homestead Hospital, and in 2006 he became CEO of Baptist Hospital. In 2018, he assumed his current role as Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of Baptist Health.
“Every day, the men and women of Baptist Health take on some of the greatest challenges in our industry and the world—this past year was no exception. Their selfless service to our patients and communities is a source of tremendous pride and inspiration to me. I am honored to serve them and our mission to help people live the healthiest lives possible,” said Boulenger.
During the transition, Keeley will continue in his CEO role until his retirement. He will focus his efforts on long-term strategy, mergers and acquisitions, philanthropy, innovation, and board development, education and recruitment. Boulenger will assume the title of President and Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately, and will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the health system, including strategic plan execution, finance, marketing, digital transformation, clinical transformation and the physician enterprise.
About Baptist Health South Florida
Baptist Health South Florida is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 11 hospitals, nearly 24,000 employees, 4,000 physicians and 100 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning across Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Baptist Health has internationally renowned centers of excellence in cancer, cardiovascular care, orthopedics and sports medicine, and neurosciences. In addition, it includes Baptist Health Medical Group; Baptist Health Quality Network; and Baptist Health Care On Demand, a virtual health platform. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to its faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and by Ethisphere as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net/Newsroom and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
