Ricardo Forbes has been named corporate vice president and chief diversity officer for Baptist Health South Florida. He will be responsible for developing the strategy for diversity and inclusion programs at the multi-cultural, multi-ethnic healthcare organization. Mr. Forbes was previously vice president of Baptist Hospital, an affiliate of Baptist Health.
In his new role, Mr. Forbes will work closely with the human resources staff charged with recruiting, hiring and developing retention programs for the 13,000+ employees throughout Baptist Health. The organization has received local, regional and national recognition for its family-friendly policies, being named to Working Mother magazine’s 100 Best Companies list 16 times (placing in the top 10 the last two years) and being named one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For by FORTUNE magazine for nine years. In addition to employee diversity projects, Mr. Forbes will also help build community outreach programs and partnerships, collaborating with government and community relations staff members.
“Mr. Forbes has been with Baptist Health since 1997 and his wide and varied background, with 30 years of senior management experience in hospital administration, is perfectly suited to our diversity awareness initiatives,” said George Foyo, Baptist Health executive vice president and chief administrative officer.
At Baptist Hospital, Mr. Forbes had been responsible for a variety of services over the years, including medical staff services, emergency care, pharmacy, social services and security. Prior to joining Baptist Hospital, he was administrative director at Parkway Regional Medical Center, an administrator at Jackson Memorial Hospital and an administrator of University of Miami Hospital and Clinics. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Queens College in New York and a master’s in public health administration from New York University.
Baptist Health is the largest faith-based, not-for-profit healthcare organization in the region. In addition to Baptist Hospital, it includes Baptist Children’s Hospital, South Miami Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, Baptist Cardiac & Vascular Institute and Baptist Outpatient Services. Baptist Health Foundation, the organization’s fundraising arm, supports services at all hospitals and facilities affiliated with Baptist Health.