Brian E. Keeley, president & CEO of Baptist Health South Florida, will retire in 2022, the system announced Wednesday.
Current executive vice president and chief operating officer Albert "Bo" Boulenger will succeed Keeley as president immediately. He's held his two roles since 2018 and has been with the system since 1985. Keeley will continue as CEO through the end of the year.
Keeley's career at Baptist began in 1969 as an administrative resident.
The former U.S. Navy Medical Service corpsman moved up the ranks until taking the top office in 1986.
As such he oversaw Baptist Hospital's mergers with South Miami Hospital and Homestead Hospital in 1995, subsequently becoming the President and CEO of the newly formed Baptist Health South Florida.
"It has been my privilege and honor to serve our community alongside some of the most dedicated, compassionate, and brilliant people that I have ever met," said Keeley in a prepared statement.
The system includes 11 hospitals, 100 outpatient centers and medical practices spanning across four counties in south Florida. It employs 24,000 people. Baptist Health South Florida has an annual operating budget of $4 billion.
"Under Brian's leadership, Baptist Health has grown into a world-class healthcare organization attracting top talent and providing our South Florida communities with exceptional care," said Baptist Health Board of Trustees Chair, James Carr. "Brian is a true visionary who has elevated healthcare in our community through his servant leadership and his steadfast commitment to this organization and our people."
During the transition, Keeley will focus his efforts on long-term strategy, mergers and acquisitions, philanthropy, innovation, and board development, education and recruitment, according to a press release.
Boulenger will take over day-to-day operations of the health system, including strategic plan execution, finance, marketing, digital and clinical transformation, and physicians.
Earlier this year, Baptist Health South Florida became the first system in the region to raise it's minimum wage to $15. In May, the system also welcomed back 600 employees after ending a revenue cycle joint venture with Navigant Consulting.
