Coral Gables, FL, March 11, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Baptist Health South Florida, the largest not-for-profit healthcare organization in South Florida, today named Alexandra Villoch as its new Chief Executive Officer for the Baptist Health South Florida Foundation. She will assume her new role on June 1.

Villoch is a proven business executive and community leader with a long-time involvement in South Florida philanthropy. She is currently President and Publisher of the Miami Herald Media Company and East Region Publisher for McClatchy, a national media company and parent company of the Miami Herald Media Company. In this role, she is responsible for leading all digital and print operations at seven media companies including the Miami Herald Media Company — as well as other media properties in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi and Pennsylvania.

Villoch previously served as President and Publisher of the Miami Herald Media Company from 2014 to 2017, and before that, as Senior Vice President for Advertising and Marketing. Prior to joining the Miami Herald, she was with United Airlines as the General Manager for Miami International Airport and the Caribbean, with responsibility over all passenger and cargo operations, sales functions and government relations. Her experience also includes roles with Southeast Bank and Eastern Airlines.

Villoch is past Chair of The Beacon Council, Miami-Dade County’s economic development agency, and Chair Emeritus of The Beacon Council’s One Community One Goal Initiative. She serves on the Executive Committee of the United Way of Miami-Dade County, and co-chaired the annual campaign for two years. She is past Chair of Big Brothers and Big Sisters Board of Miami-Dade County and has also served on the Miami-Dade College Foundation Board and the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee.

Reporting to Baptist Health’s Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, Joe Natoli, Villoch will be responsible for oversight of the Baptist Health South Florida Foundation as well as Government and Community Relations and Hospitality and Business Relations. Baptist Health’s Foundation is focused on inspiring philanthropy and building extraordinary donor relationships in support of excellence, innovation, community wellness and global leadership in healthcare.

“Alex is a uniquely talented executive and tireless advocate for the South Florida community,” said Natoli. “She is the perfect person to lead the Foundation as Baptist Health builds preeminent centers of excellence that provide outstanding patient care and cutting-edge therapies to patients and families.”

“Baptist Health has a deeply rooted reputation for making a difference through high-quality, leading-edge care and compassion,” said Villoch. “I am proud to be joining this prestigious organization that is beloved by our community, and look forward to the work ahead.”

“Alex knows this community very well and has always worked to improve it,” said Baptist Health Foundation Chairman, Tomas Erban. “Her work with Baptist Health Foundation will undoubtedly continue to change lives and improve the well-being of our community through philanthropy.”

“At Baptist Health, we have a deep commitment to serve the South Florida community, and in a challenging healthcare environment, now, more than ever, philanthropy is vital to our ability to fulfill our mission,” said Brian E. Keeley, President and Chief Executive Officer for Baptist Health South Florida.

Under Villoch’s leadership, the Miami Herald was awarded two Pulitzer Prizes. In 2012, she was awarded the International Economic Development Council’s Citizen Leadership Award, a national award that recognizes a community and business leader who plays a key role in economic development in their community. She has also been the recipient of the Boys & Girls Club Community Builder Award and the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s Power Leader of the Year Award, among other accolades.

“Former Miami Herald Publisher Alberto Ibargüen and I hired Alex as an advertising executive at the Miami Herald nearly 20 years ago,” said Natoli. “She went on to become publisher of the Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald and to lead some of the most important community organizations in South Florida. I can’t wait to welcome her to Baptist Health.”

An internationally recognized media industry and corporate leader, Villoch is a frequent speaker at business conferences and community events in South Florida, the U.S. and abroad. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science as well as a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Miami. She also attended Miami-Dade College.

There are numerous meaningful opportunities to help Baptist Health maintain excellence in healthcare now and in the future. For more information on the Foundation and how to become involved, visit BaptistHealth.net/giving.

About Baptist Health South Florida 

Baptist Health South Florida is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 10 hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Bethesda Hospital East, Bethesda Hospital West, Doctors Hospital, Fishermen’s Community Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), more than 40 physician practices, 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Health Quality Network and internationally renowned centers of excellence spanning across Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to our faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has more than 19,500 employees and more than 3,000 affiliated physicians. Baptist Health South Florida has been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and by Ethisphere as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. For more information, visit http://BaptistHealth.net/newsroom and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/BaptistHealthSF and on Twitter and Instagram @BaptistHealthSF.