Benchmarks of success: A look at major career developments in the area

A look at major career developments in the area.

Mayo named one of the most influential Florida business leaders

Florida Trend's fifth annual edition of Florida 500 has named Michael A. Mayo, president and chief executive officer of Baptist Health, one of Florida’s most influential business leaders across major industries.

Mayo, one of only 25 professionals in the “Life Sciences” category to receive the honor in 2022, was selected based on multiple interviews and months of research.

In addition to Florida Trend's executive editorial team, a variety of outside sources were used to produce the highly selective list of individuals who are moving Florida forward. According to Florida Trend, the publication looks for individuals “whom others in their communities or industry sectors turn to for leadership. A lengthy track record matters.” 

Mayo, who has more than 33 years of health care executive experience, leads a team of more than 13,000 team members and more than 2,000 medical staff members in the delivery of high-quality, coordinated care for every stage of life.

Swisher promotes Chris Howard to executive vice president post

Swisher has announced the promotion of Chris Howard to executive vice president, external affairs and new product compliance. Howard succeeds Joe Augustus, who recently announced his retirement after more than 33 years with the company.

Howard previously held the role of senior vice president, general counsel and chief compliance officer at E-Alternative Solutions (EAS), a Swisher company. Over the past six years, he has played a leading role in advancing several EAS and Swisher initiatives and regulatory compliance programs, including for Leap and Rogue tobacco products as well as novel CBD products.

In his new role on the executive leadership team, Howard will accelerate Swisher’s external affairs strategic objectives and mold a new section providing regulatory approval and compliance support for new product development. 

Howard has a long history in external and regulatory affairs, having previously served as general counsel for Fontem Ventures (blu), associate general counsel for Lorillard Tobacco Company and several in-house counsel positions with Syngenta.

Reid joins real estate branch office

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty has welcomed Kim Reid to the Ponte Vedra/Nocatee office.

Reid worked for three different branches within the Department of Defense over 28 years. She has lived all over the world and has extensive experience buying and selling her personal homes, giving her a unique insight into the world of real estate.

She has two Master’s degrees and is looking forward to using her leadership, finance, organization and communication skills to assist her clients in their real estate journey.

For more information, she can be reached at 703-678-5106, Kim.Reid@FloridaNetworkRealty.com and KReid.FloridaNetworkRealty.com.

Pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon joins Wolfson Children’s staff

Wolfson Children’s Hospital and the C. Herman and Mary Virginia Terry Heart Institute continue to expand children’s heart services following the opening Wolfson Children’s ninth outpatient cardiology location earlier this year with the addition of pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon M. “Ali” Mumtaz, MD.

Mumtaz, who also serves as an associate professor of cardiac surgery at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, specializes in pediatric and congenital surgery. He is board certified by the American Board of Surgery and double board-certified in adult and congenital heart surgery by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery.

Prior to joining the Terry Heart Institute and the Wolfson Children’s Hospital medical staff in June 2022, Mumtaz served as head of cardiac surgery at the Tahir Heart Institute in Rabwah, Pakistan, from 2018 to 2021. He previously served as associate surgeon-in-chief and as section chief of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery/Rowena C. Gorman Endowed Chair in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at Children’s Hospital of San Antonio in Texas.

He served as an associate professor for Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, as well.

Prior to joining Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, he was surgical director of the Pediatric Heart Transplant Program at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital.

Mumtaz received medical degree from King Edward Medical University in Lahore, Pakistan. He completed general surgery residency at University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington, Connecticut, and the cardiothoracic surgery residency at St. Luke's Hospital Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City, Missouri. He received training in congenital heart surgery under Dr. Roger Mee at Cleveland Clinic.

— Compiled by Shaun Ryan