February 2, 2026 – HCA Florida JFK Hospital and HCA Florida JFK North Hospital today announced the appointment of four new members to the hospitals’ shared Board of Trustees. The Board provides governance and strategic guidance in support of both facilities and plays a critical role in advancing high-quality, patient-centered care across Palm Beach County.
“At the heart of every great organization is strong, thoughtful governance,” said Ken West, CEO of HCA Florida JFK Hospital. “An engaged and mission-driven board helps set direction, reinforces accountability, and ensures our mission and values remain front and center. We are proud to welcome these accomplished leaders and the experience they bring to our shared Board of Trustees.”
The four new trustees bring diverse expertise across emergency services, public sector leadership, organizational strategy, patient experience, and disciplined operational growth; strengths that will support both hospitals as they continue to grow and evolve to meet community needs.
“The shared Board of Trustees provides valuable alignment and leadership for both HCA Florida JFK Hospital and HCA Florida JFK North Hospital,” said Ashley Vertuno, CEO of HCA Florida JFK North Hospital. “These new trustees bring a depth of perspective and leadership that will strengthen governance and support our continued focus on quality, safety, and an exceptional patient experience.”
New Board of Trustees Members
Phillip Olavarria is the Division Chief of Medical Services with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, overseeing countywide EMS operations and collaborating closely with hospital partners to improve patient outcomes. With 25 years of public safety and military service, Olavarria brings strong expertise in emergency preparedness, quality, and patient safety.
Allan Kaulbach, Mayor of the City of Atlantis, brings civic leadership and a career focused on organizational change and public sector strategy. A retired partner at Oliver Wyman, he offers deep experience in governance and guiding complex organizations through growth and transformation.
Jake Poore is President and Chief Experience Officer of Integrated Loyalty Systems, Inc., bringing more than 25 years of experience helping organizations build strong cultures and elevate customer and patient experience. His nearly 18 years with the Disney organization add deep expertise in leadership development and service excellence.
Chris Gannon is Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bolay Fresh Bold Kitchen, a second-generation hospitality leader with experience scaling multi-unit operations. He brings valuable insight into governance, performance excellence, and disciplined growth.
In addition, the hospitals announced board leadership appointments:
- Sam Lederman has been named Chairman of the Board.
- Marcella Rutherford, a longtime community member who has served on the Board since 2018, has been named Vice Chair.
Together, Dr. Lederman and Rutherford bring deep experience, institutional knowledge, and a shared commitment to guiding both hospitals forward.
“We are grateful to our Board of Trustees for their service and stewardship,” West added. “This leadership team reflects the strength of our community, and we look forward to the meaningful impact they will have as we continue advancing our mission.”
About HCA Florida JFK Hospital
Serving Palm Beach County for more than 55 years. HCA Florida JFK Hospital is a 516-bed acute care hospital, specializing in emergency services, heart and vascular surgery, neurosurgery, comprehensive cancer and breast institute services, comprehensive stroke services, orthopedic and spine surgery, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, weight loss surgery, inpatient physical rehabilitation, and women’s services. We provide high quality, exceptional care to Atlantis residents and the surrounding communities.
About HCA Florida JFK North Hospital
HCA Florida JFK North Hospital, a 280-bed acute care facility, has served Palm Beach County for nearly 50 years. Recognizes for 3 years in a row as Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award. Conveniently located near I-95, the hospital offers 24/7 emergency care for all ages and specializes in women’s health, spine, general surgery, gastrointestinal care, orthopedics, urology, vascular services and behavioral health. With a focus on innovation and compassionate care, HCA Florida JFK North Hospital is proud to serve West Palm Beach and surrounding communities.
About HCA Florida Healthcare
HCA Florida Healthcare, a part of HCA Healthcare, is a family of more than 650 affiliated sites of care, including hospitals, physician practices, freestanding emergency rooms and urgent care centers. As one of the state’s leading healthcare networks, HCA Florida Healthcare’s 11,100 experienced doctors and more than 84,000 colleagues work together to deliver equitable, evidence-based collaborative care through more than 12 million patient encounters annually. HCA Florida Healthcare is committed to improving more lives in more ways and giving back to the communities it serves. In 2024, the network provided more than $1 billion in uncompensated care and contributed more than $3.7 million to community organizations across the state. In addition, HCA Florida Healthcare offers patients access to highly trained specialists, including the state’s most comprehensive cardiovascular network. A strong advocate for the next generation of healthcare professionals, HCA Florida Healthcare is a leader in training future healthcare professionals, offering 151 Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs at 27 different hospitals with more than 2,400 residents. For more information, please visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com.