New chief executive officer named to lead Bradenton’s HCA Florida Blake Hospital

Steve Young has been named chief executive officer of Bradenton’s HCA Florida Blake Hospital.

He replaces Paige Laughlin, the hospital’s chief operating officer, who served as interim CEO after Steve Nierman’s departure in May.

Young comes to Blake from HCA Florida Englewood Hospital, where he served as CEO since September 2020.

During his tenure in Englewood, Young led a $10 million renovation of the emergency department, more than doubling the number of patient care bays and adding endoscopy/bronchoscopy suites.

Young also led the hospital’s purchase of 30 acres and began planning the hospital’s first freestanding emergency center in Wellen Park.

“Steve has worked tirelessly to modernize Englewood Hospital to advance the patient experience, enhance efficiency of operations, upgrade equipment and create a healing environment,” Jyric Sims, HCA Healthcare West Florida Division president, said in a press release.

“He is a dynamic leader who understands the market and is excited to join Blake Hospital as it continues to expand its services and footprint,” Sims said.

Prior to joining Englewood Hospital in September 2020, Young served in a number of leadership roles including chief operating officer at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital, HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital and HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital.

Young holds a master of business administration from St. Leo University and a bachelor of science in applied physiology and kinesiology from the University of Florida.

He and his wife, Katherine, have two daughters, Emily and Scarlett.

The Bradenton Herald previously reported that the No. 1 challenge faced by Blake and other hospitals was staffing: finding enough health care providers to take care of patients due to the pressures and demands of the pandemic.

A Tampa Bay Times story earlier this year reported that a Service Employees International Union report showed that staffing at HCA’s 180 hospitals across the United States was inadequate.

The Tampa Bay Times story reported several breakdowns in patient care at HCA’s Florida hospitals, including at HCA Florida Blake Hospital.

In March 2022, Blake Medical Center became HCA Florida Blake Hospital as Nashville-based HCA Healthcare, which bought Blake in 1980, rebranded all of its Florida hospitals.