Drew Grossman to take the reins from Rick Freeburg
Drew Grossman has been named chief executive officer of Mariners Hospital and Fishermen’s Community Hospital, both part of Baptist Health South Florida. Grossman will assume his position on Feb. 25, following the retirement of longtime leader, Rick Freeburg.
Grossman earned a bachelor of science from The Pennsylvania State University and a master of health services administration from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. After completing his administrative residency at Parkway Medical Center in North Miami Beach, Grossman moved to Southern California to serve as assistant administrator at Centinela Hospital Medical Center, an acute care hospital serving Los Angeles and the South Bay regions. He returned to Florida in 2002 serving in leadership positions at Cleveland Clinic in Weston and Parkway Medical Center in North Miami Beach. Grossman then joined Broward Health as CEO of Broward Health Coral Springs and Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital. Grossman came from St. Mary’s Medical Center in Blue Springs, Missour. Under his leadership as CEO, St. Mary’s Hospital has reached new levels of patient satisfaction, safety, quality and efficiency.
“Jay Hershoff, chair of the board of directors, and I are pleased to announce the appointment of Drew Grossman as the CEO of Baptist Health’s two hospitals in the Florida Keys,” said Bo Boulenger, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Baptist Health South Florida. “Drew is an experienced executive who understands the value of balancing patient experience, quality, physician relations, employee engagement, finance and community involvement.”
Hershoff added, “He has been a dedicated leader in each of the communities he has served. We are excited to welcome him to Baptist Health and back to South Florida.”
Grossman currently serves on several boards including the Blue Springs Economic Development Council. He was also chair of the Broward County March of Dimes and held board positions at Coral Springs and Parkland Chamber of Commerce, South Florida Hospital and Healthcare Association as well as board vice chair of the Coral Springs Economic Development Foundation.
Grossman is married with two children, one in college at University of South Florida in Tampa, and the other an accomplished high school lacrosse athlete. His wife Melissa works remotely with a firm in Fort Lauderdale. The family is looking forward to returning to South Florida and becoming very active members of the Keys community.
Kerry Shelby Appointed Executive Director of FKAA
The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority Board of Directors selected Kerry Shelby on Jan. 26 to take the helm as executive director.
Shelby has been at the Authority for Shelby has been at FKAA for more than 25 years and brings extensive experience to the position. During his tenure, FKAA has won multiple awards for budgeting and financial reporting. He was also instrumental in the utility’s initiative to provide centralized wastewater to the Florida Keys.
As executive director, Shelby will manage the operations of the water and wastewater utility. FKAA is the sole potable water supplier for the entire Florida Keys serving more than 77,000 residents and millions of visitors per year. Additionally, it provides wastewater services in portions of the Lower and Middle Keys which is critical infrastructure in the effort to protect nearshore waters and the imperiled coral reef.
Noting Shelby’s 17-year tenure as deputy executive director, FKAA Chairman J. Robert Dean said, “The Aqueduct is fortunate he has agreed to step-up as the new executive director, and personally I think there is not a finer gentleman on the island.”
In addition to his previous service with FKAA, Shelby has been involved with many cultural and charitable organizations since moving to Key West in 1991. He has served on the boards of the Tennessee Williams Theatre, AIDS Help, the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys, the Key West Art & Historical Society, and The Studios of Key West.
Shelby is a licensed CPA in the state of Florida and graduate of the University of Tennessee. The appointment is effective immediately.
Lynn Kaufelt receives Golden Mango Award from the Studios of Key West
The Studios of Key West recently honored Lynn Kaufelt with its 2021 Golden Mango Award, presented annually to an outstanding leader who has furthered Key West through significant contributions to the arts.
Kaufelt was recognized during an online version of The Studios’ Annual Patron Brunch on Jan. 6.
Each year, the recipient of the award — established to recognize persons who make contributions to the island arts community and reputation — also receives a striking contemporary sculpture designed by Key West artist Helen Harrison.
“Lynn has such style and humor she makes it all seem easy,” said Jed Dodds, executive director of TSKW. “But she’s like Zelig. She’s been everywhere in this cultural community for years – often in leading roles, and always supportive. Every single one of us has benefited from the work she’s done.”
Since moving to Key West more than 20 years ago with her son Jackson and her late husband David, Lynn became active in many community organizations. She has served as president of the Key West Art and Historical Society, a director of the Tennessee Williams Fine Art Center Founding Society, and as the first executive director of the renowned Key West Literary Seminar, which David Kaufelt founded in 1983.
Lynn Kaufelt has also served as a fundraiser, mentor and public advocate for Take Stock in Children. She helped establish a base of operations for Wesley House in 1997, and went on to help develop its popular Valentine’s Day silent auction.
She has helped The Studios of Key West become the beacon of cultural activity that it is today. Involved since the organization’s inception, Kaufelt was one of the four original founding board members of Pebbles, the arts organization that evolved into The Studios. Since then, she has served on the board of directors and currently chairs The Studios’ advisory board.
