BayCare names Philadelphia health care executive as new CEO

TAMPA — BayCare Health System on Friday named Stephanie D. Conners as its chief executive officer.

Conners, 50, began her health care career as a nurse. She currently serves as the executive vice president and chief operating officer for Jefferson Health, a Philadelphia nonprofit health care system. She is expected to join BayCare in October.

“I am humbled and honored to lead such a remarkable organization,” Conners said in a statement. “Its legacy of compassionate care is palpable, and I look forward to helping ensure its future success. It is my personal mission to make a difference in the lives of others.”

Conners was chosen after the nonprofit conducted a national search to replace Tommy Inzina, who announced in February that he would retire at the end of this year. He was appointed as its leader in 2016 and has been with the nonprofit for 25 years.

BayCare operates primarily in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk and Pasco counties and runs 15 hospitals; an ambulatory division and BayCare Medical Group, one of the region’s largest physician groups. According to the nonprofit, it also is the region’s largest provider of pediatric and behavioral health services.

Connors earned a bachelor’s degree from Villanova University and a master’s in business administration from Eastern University, according to BayCare. She and her husband, Timothy Conners, have four children between ages 13 and 26, and one grandchild. She moved into administration after working as a bedside nurse and a trauma nurse. She has worked in health care for almost three decades.

“For the board, it was paramount that we find a leader who is committed to BayCare’s legacy of mission-driven, community-focused health care,” Rick Colón, chairman of the board, said in a statement. “In Stephanie Conners, we see an engaging and compassionate leader who will lead BayCare into its next era of serving the community’s health, our team members and our medical community.”