Roy Hawkins, Jr. became CEO of Jackson North Medical Center in September of 2017. A Miami native, his healthcare experience includes working for the Department of Veterans Affairs before transitioning to HCA in Richmond, VA where he served as chief operations officer.

Hawkins considered the chance to join Jackson Health System as the “opportunity of a lifetime,” especially since it brought him back to lead his hometown hospital. “I was born at Jackson Memorial Hospital, the system’s flagship facility, and I attended high school in this community,” he said. “I was excited to bring my experience home to help build the health of the north Miami-Dade community.”

Jackson North Medical Center is a 382-bed facility with a robust emergency department that sees 55,000 visits annually. The medical center is currently undergoing an $85 million capital renovation project and includes a full complement of medical and surgical services. The facility is known for its women’s health programs, bariatric center of excellence, and rehabilitative services.

As the leader of Jackson North, Hawkins knows the importance of relationships and of being involved in the community.

“Even as an undergrad, I knew I wanted to become a hospital CEO, so I joined professional organizations and associations as a way to network with individuals in the industry,” he said.

Hawkins joined the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) as a way to contribute on a national level and has served on ACHE’s Ethics Committee for the past three years. He was also a member of the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE), and served as its national president from 2013-15.

“I joined the South Florida Healthcare Executive Forum’s ACHE Chapter for an opportunity to be involved at the local level,” explained Hawkins. “Through this organization, I have been able to build relationships, collaborate with peers, and foster ideas on better ways to deliver high-quality, compassionate, patient-centered care to South Florida residents.”

Hawkins added that he appreciates the fellowship he finds at SFHEF meetings, as well as the knowledge he gains from presentations geared toward educating members on challenges facing the industry on topics ranging from the provider/payer relationship to the patient experience.

“It’s good to be part of an organization that brings this type of content to you and allows you to partner with local peers to share ideas; it creates a synergy between healthcare leaders in the South Florida market,” Hawkins said, adding that he also values the unparalleled networking opportunities.

“There’s a saying that ‘iron sharpens iron,” and this is especially true when collaborating with peers who are uniquely positioned to understand the same challenges that you face,” he added. “I think it is incumbent for anyone in any industry to be a part of professional organizations.”