Kathryn Gillette has been named Market President and Chief Executive Officer of Bayfront Health System – a newly established regional network set to launch April 1. April marks a big month for Bayfront, with the start of a new Chief Executive as well as its new partnership with Health Management Associates, in clinical and academic affiliation with Shands HealthCare.

Gillette brings extensive experience in all areas of hospital operations administration. Her most recent role has been as Chief Executive Officer of Osceola Regional Medical Center in Kissimmee FL, where she led the 257-bed medical/surgical hospital since 2010. During her tenure at Osceola Regional, Gillette oversaw major construction additions and developed the first accredited teaching program for medical and surgical residents at the hospital. She also oversaw the planning and development of the hospital’s Level II Trauma Center, expected to launch in the near future.

“Kathy Gillette is an experienced executive who brings the vision, compassion and commitment to community required to lead Bayfront into its next chapter,” said Alan Levine, Florida Group President for Naples-based Health Management Associates. “Her extensive background in finance and operations, coupled with the uncommon distinction of transcendent leadership will serve Bayfront’s longstanding legacy of excellent high-profile leadership well.”

Gillette is no stranger to the Tampa Bay area. Prior to her tenure at Osceola Regional, she spent 11 years at New Port Richey’s Community Hospital, where she successfully led the 392-bed medical/surgical and psychiatric hospital as Chief Financial Officer (1999-2002), Chief Operating Officer (2002-2005), and Chief Executive Officer (2005-2010). She was instrumental in the construction of the facility’s new, $200-million state-of-the-art replacement hospital and medical office building, which opened in 2011.

Prior to her work with Community Hospital, Gillette served for five years as the Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer at Tampa General Hospital, leading all phases of financial management and oversight for the 976-bed teaching hospital and helping to navigate its transformation from a public, to private, not-for-profit entity.

“Bayfront is a community gem known throughout the state for the excellent care delivered by its team of experts,” Gillette said. “I am honored to join this great team and look forward to serving with a network of leaders to expand the Bayfront Health System across six additional hospitals.”

A native Floridian, Gillette was born and raised in Ft. Lauderdale. She received her Bachelor of Science in Accounting at the University of West Florida in Pensacola, and her Masters in Healthcare Administration at the University of South Florida in Tampa.

As Bayfront’s leadership evolves, additional changes promise to prepare the hospital for growth and superior competitive positioning in the ever changing landscape of healthcare, including a $100-million infusion of technology, resources, equipment and other investments over the next five years. In April millions will be deployed to upgrade important equipment, refurbish the campus’ technology network and reinforce other infrastructure that will give the hospital, its physicians and staff access to the most cutting-edge patient care technology.