Each year Studer Group recognizes individuals known as Fire Starters – people who make a difference in their organization and community. These men and women ignite the flames of passion, guide and support an organization’s commitment to excellence and influence the lives of employees, physicians, patients, families and students.

Mr. Brackin began his healthcare career in 1985 as an administrative resident at South Miami Hospital, rising to become the hospital’s president and chief executive officer. He also served as administrator of Homestead Hospital, guiding the hospital through the devastation of Hurricane Andrew in 1992. He assumed his current system-wide position with Baptist Health in 2007 and has been instrumental in launching the Miami Cancer Institute, which will consolidate Baptist Health’s cancer research, outpatient clinical services and advanced technologies under one roof. Groundbreaking for the $400 million facility, to be located on the campus of Baptist Hospital, is scheduled for Aug. 8.

A member of the American College of Health Care Executives, Mr. Brackin received a master’s in health service administration from George Washington University and a bachelor of science degree from Southern Illinois University. He has served as chair and board member of numerous professional and philanthropic organizations.

The American Hospital Association, in partnership with the Florida Hospital Association, named Mr. Brackin its 2014 Grassroots Champion for Florida, in recognition of his exceptional leadership in generating grassroots and community activity in support of hospitals in the state.

The four other 2014 Fire Starter Hall of Fame inductees are:

• Barbara Blevins, MHA, FACHE, chief operating officer, Hospital Based Services, TeamHealth, Knoxville, Tenn.
• Leonard H. Friedman, Ph.D., MPH, FACHE, professor & director of Master of Health Administration Programs & interim chair of the Dept. of Health Services Management and Leadership, Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University, Department of Health Services Management and Leadership, Washington, D.C.
• Dr. Jack Kitts, president & chief executive officer, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
• Jerry Moeller, FACHE, president & chief executive officer, Stillwater Medical Center, Stillwater, Okla.

“These Hall of Fame inductees have the kind of passion, commitment and knowledge that will make healthcare better and better,” said Quint Studer, founder of Studer Group. “It is a privilege to work with men and women who operate at this level.”

The Fire Starter Hall of Fame induction ceremony takes place Aug. 8, during the 12th annual What’s Right in Health Care conference in Chicago.

Studer Group, a recipient of the 2010 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, is an outcomes-based healthcare performance improvement firm that works with more than 850 healthcare organizations in the U.S., Canada, New Zealand and beyond, teaching them how to achieve, sustain and accelerate exceptional clinical, operational and financial results. Visit StuderGroup.com.

Baptist Health is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with seven hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital) and more than 30 outpatient and urgent care facilities spanning three counties. The not-for-profit, faith-based Baptist Health has more than 15,000 employees and 2,200 affiliated physicians, and also includes Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Outpatient Services and internationally renowned centers of excellence. Baptist Health Foundation, the organization’s fundraising arm, supports services at all hospitals and facilities. Baptist Health was just listed by Fortune magazine as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America (#19 in the nation and #1 in Florida) and has remained on the list for 14 years. It was also recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the third year in a row by the Ethisphere Institute. Visit BaptistHealth.net.