Nonprofits, at the helm: New leaders at Baptist Beaches, Ronald McDonald House, other nonprofits

Joe Mitrick has retired as hospital president of Baptist Medical Center Beaches after serving 28 years with parent Baptist Health and leading the Beaches hospital for a decade.

He is among numerous Northeast Florida nonprofit leaders who have recently departed or arrived.

Since 2011, Mitrick had also led Baptist Health's transitional care program helping ensure discharged patients receive the ongoing support they need.

"Joe’s contributions to Baptist Health have been immeasurable and his leadership has had a profound impact on the entire community," said Matt Zuino, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Baptist Health. "He has done a superb job of setting the stage for a smooth transition."

Nonprofits, at the helm: Green Chamber names new leader, other nonprofits add top staff

Nonprofit personnel changes:United Way of St. Johns and Hope Street name new leaders

During Mitrick's tenure, Baptist Beaches was named a World’s Best Hospital by Newsweek, received a 5-star rating from the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Pinnacle of Excellence award for patient satisfaction from Press Ganey, and consistently received an A in patient safety from the Leapfrog Group.

Mitrick's successor in Jacksonville Beach is Jarret Dreicer, who has been vice president of operations there since November 2021.

Dreicer joined Baptist Health in 2005 as a research analyst and was named systemwide director of Operational Performance Improvement in 2013. Later, he was assistant administrator at Baptist Beaches and on the Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center leadership team.

"We couldn’t have asked for a better choice than Jarret to continue a legacy of great leadership for the Beaches community," Zuino said. "Jarret brings tremendous amount of passion and expertise to this vitally important and impactful role."

Baptist Medical Center Clay:Here's a look at Baptist Health's new $234 million hospital in Clay County

Ronald McDonald House Charities

In another local leadership change, Joey Leik has been named CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville. The charity provides lodging and other services for critically ill, chronically ill and seriously injured children and their families.

Leik, who moves to Florida from Iowa, will "lead the strategic vision for the organization’s long-term growth, impact and delivery of mission," according to the nonprofit.

She has about 15 years' experience in operational management, fundraising and marketing, having served as CEO of United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States, director of development and public relations for Hospice of Dubuque and director of public and community relations for Dubuque Racing Association.

"Joey exhibits boundless energy and an impassioned approach to serving families in crisis," said Phillip Vineyard, board chairman of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville.

Bequest from federal judge and wife:Ronald McDonald House Jacksonville receives $2.4 million gift

She succeeds Diane Boyle who departed in April 2022 after almost nine years as CEO.

Leik said, "I am honored to be of service to the families … we walk beside, to the staff I've been entrusted to lead and to the community that has been abundantly supportive of this amazing organization."

The goal of the Ronald McDonald House is "to ensure that every family traveling to Jacksonville seeking high-quality, pediatric care understands the services that we have available for them, and that we continue to provide a welcoming and inviting environment that feels like their home away from home during their stay," Leik said.

Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council

At the Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council, which advocates for Jacksonville's oldest existing neighborhood, Kelly Rich has stepped down as executive director.

Rich, who is relocating to Arkansas as director of downtown initiatives for Experience Fayetteville, has been the nonprofit's leader since 2018. During her tenure, membership grew over 300%, new activities such as Music on Main were introduced and about 20 new small businesses opened with the council awarding them about $35,000 in grants to assist with facade improvements and pandemic impacts.

Also, a $500,000 capital campaign to restore the nonprofit's Main Street office was completed, the group celebrated Springfield’s 150th anniversary by establishing a popular community greenspace called Sesquicentennial Park and its signature event, Jacksonville PorchFest, grew to 20,000 guests.

"My time with SPAR has been more fulfilling than I ever could have imagined," Rich said. "I hope my leadership has been as impactful to the community as the community has been to me."

How Jacksonville can you get?Porchfest returns Saturday to Springfield

"Over the past five years, she's not only been a valued colleague, she's become family," board president Tim Hope said. "I am confident the future of Historic Springfield will be great because of the mark she left on it."

A search is underway for her successor.

Jacksonville Civic Council

Jeanne M. Miller has ended her nine-year tenure as CEO and president of the Jacksonville Civic Council, a nonprofit comprised of business and community leaders, but is staying on as interim leader during the search for her successor.

"Jeanne has done an excellent job of helping the Civic Council grow its impact and influence from its early beginnings into one of Jacksonville’s most respected voices on public policy," board chairman Eric Mann said.

'Get the Facts Jax':Jacksonville Civic Council launches vaccination campaign

Miller restructured the organization and helped focus members’ policy efforts that Mann said enabled the council to "develop from a diverse group with good ideas and enormous potential into an effective and powerful force for progress in our community."

Miller's next steps are serving as founder and principal of the newly established Strategic Relationships & Counsel, a legal and consulting firm.

The Community Foundation of Northeast Florida

Stephanie Garry Garfunkel has been named vice president for strategic communications at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida in Jacksonville.

She succeeds Susan Datz Edelman who retired in late 2022.

Garfunkel has about 15 years of communications experience, most recently as director of knowledge management and communications for Impact Florida. Prior, she was director of communications and advocacy for the Jacksonville Public Education Fund.

'Unparalleled':Nonprofit leader Nina Waters to retire from Community Foundation for NE Fla

"We have witnessed Stephanie’s professional excellence firsthand … and we are confident that her leadership will be invaluable as we lean into our more public and powerful commitment to civic leadership," foundation President Nina Waters said.

Send nonprofit news to Beth Reese Cravey at bcravey@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4109

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: New leaders at Baptist Beaches, Ronald McDonald House in Jacksonville