BARTOW, Fla. – Bartow Regional Medical Center has named Kofi A. Cash, D.Sc., FACHE, as its new director of operations, effective March 9, strengthening the hospital’s executive leadership team during a period of significant expansion and regional growth.
Cash brings more than 15 years of hospital leadership experience across academic medical centers and community health systems nationwide. Most recently, he served as executive director of operations at Mass General Brigham–McLean Hospital. Prior to that, he served as hospital Chief Operating Officer at UofL Health in Kentucky and vice president of operations at HCA Fairview Park Hospital in Georgia.
In his new role, Cash will oversee operational strategy, capital planning, and hospital performance initiatives, working closely with physicians, nurses, and administrative leaders to advance patient outcomes, strengthen operational excellence, and support continued service expansion.
His appointment comes at a transformative time for Bartow Regional Medical Center as the hospital advances an $110 million campus expansion project designed to increase clinical capacity and expand access to care for residents across Polk County.
“This is an extraordinary opportunity to help expand access to high-quality care across one of Florida’s fastest-growing communities,” Cash said. “What drew me to BayCare and Bartow Regional was the opportunity to elevate operational performance while advancing disciplined, community-focused growth in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment.”
Cash noted that engaging frontline caregivers and strengthening partnerships within the community will be central to his leadership approach.
“Healthcare leadership is about caring and nurturing people—our patients, our caregivers, and the communities we serve,” he said. “I look forward to working alongside the outstanding team at BRMC to improve clinical and operational outcomes. Our goal is to continue differentiating our services, in a contested marketplace, through quality, high reliability, and individualized care.”
Cash’s academic and professional background reflects a strong commitment to leadership development and healthcare innovation. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology (Pre-Medicine) from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, a Master of Health Care Delivery Science from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and completed executive leadership education through the Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management.
He also holds a Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) in Healthcare Leadership from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and is board certified as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE).
Karen Kerr, President of Bartow Regional Medical Center, said Cash’s leadership experience and operational expertise will support the hospital’s continued growth.
“Kofi brings deep operational expertise and a strong commitment to patient-centered care,” Kerr said. “His leadership will be an important asset as Bartow Regional continues expanding services to meet the healthcare needs of our rapidly growing community.”
Provided by BayCare