Furst Group Assists Health First with CEO Search
June 5, 2024 – Executive recruitment firm Furst Group, which serves the healthcare and insurance industries, has helped to recruit Terry Forde as president and CEO of Health First in Brevard County, FL. “In Terry we found an experienced and sympathetic leader who shares our passion for patient safety, is committed to providing high reliability, has a proven history of success, and tenacity in building strong, lasting culture,” said Kent Smith, Health First board of trustees’ chair. “The Space Coast welcomes Terry and looks forward to his guidance to further Health First’s legacy of providing exceptional quality and compassionate care.”
Mr. Forde currently serves as president and CEO of Adventist HealthCare. Under his leadership over the past 13 years, Adventist HealthCare has earned national recognition for its leadership practices, been awarded numerous quality and safety distinctions, been honored as a trustworthy organization, and been recognized repeatedly for being a top workplace.
“Terry has been a tireless advocate for championing our mission, driving improvement and expanding our services in order to provide physical, mental and spiritual healing to every person, every time,” said Emmanuel Asiedu, chair of the Adventist HealthCare board of directors. “We are grateful for his many achievements and for the leadership system he established that will continue to guide our delivery of high-quality, compassionate care to our community. We wish Terry and Health First the very best in their efforts to serve the heath needs of Florida community members.”
“It has been an honor to work with the dedicated leaders and team members of Adventist HealthCare, especially during the midst of a pandemic and significant change in the health industry,” said Mr. Forde. “I am so glad to have been part of an organization dedicated to being the best choice for both patients and team members and look forward to joining Health First to promote vibrant wellbeing in Florida.”
Health First was founded in 1995 when Cape Canaveral Hospital, Holmes Regional Medical Center and Palm Bay Hospital joined together to create a fully integrated delivery network and not-for-profit healthcare system. Now with more than 10,000 associates, Health First provides Central Florida with four hospitals, medical group, health plans and ancillary services.
Related: Furst Group Places President of the Denver Hospice
Furst Group, headquartered in Rockford, IL, partners with many of the premier healthcare organizations in the world, from providers and payers to life-science companies and private equity/venture capital firms. While Furst Group’s roots are in managed care, the firm continues to be one of the nation’s leading executive search partners to health systems, hospitals, academic medical centers, post-acute, and hospice and palliative care facilities. Its work with insurers stretches back to the HMO era, yet the firm also teams with life science, pharmaceutical, and medical device companies.
Furst Group Recruits CEO for Center for Hospice Care
Furst Group recently assisted in the recruitment of John Mastrojohn as the president and CEO of the Center for Hospice Care. He also will take on the role of president and CEO of the Hospice Foundation, Global Partners in Care and Milton Adult Day Services. The non-profit’s board and administrative team conducted a national search with the help of Furst Group to find a new leader. “John brings a solid background of success and experience to our organization, and we look forward to his leadership and insight,” said Kurt Janowsky, board chairman.
Furst Group also has offices in Phoenix, AZ; Radnor, PA; San Francisco; Brentwood, TN; Chicago; Irving, TX; Minneapolis, MN; Seattle; St. Louis; and Washington, D.C.
Past Assignment
Furst Group recently assisted Catholic Health in the recruitment of Meghan Aldrich as president of Sisters of Charity Hospital and St. Joseph Campus. “Meghan’s experience as a nurse executive and operational leader will be a tremendous asset to Sisters Hospital as we continue to accelerate our strategic initiatives across Catholic Health,” said Joyce Markiewicz, Catholic Health President and CEO. “Her leadership and clinical roles in Ambulatory Medicine, Surgery, Nursing, and Emergency Medicine, will help us continue to grow key services on Sisters’ Main St. and St. Joseph Campuses.”
“As a nurse, clinical leader, and healthcare executive, Meghan understands all facets of healthcare, from a quality, patient safety, and patient experience perspective; to supporting the needs of associates and physicians; to providing administrative oversight in acute and ambulatory care settings,” said Marty Boryszak, Catholic Health senior vice president of acute care. “Her experience combined with her passion for innovative, high quality care, will complement both the Catholic Health and Sisters leadership teams.”
Related: Furst Group Recruits CFO for Clever Care Health Plan
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor; Lily Fauver, Senior Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
