Jeffrey Welch: A man of high energy, compassion

Jeffery Welch
Jeffrey Welch

A man of high energy and compassion, Jeffrey Welch is perhaps the only Gables Great receiving this recognition after so few years in Coral Gables. For anyone who has had the opportunity to see this man in action, it is no wonder he has made an impact in so short a time.

Jeffery Welch
Jeffrey Welch

Born in Toledo, OH, Jeff was one of 10 children. He grew up in Chicago and then, at 14, moved to New Jersey where he lived until coming to South Florida only six years ago. A graduate of Immaculata High School in Somerville, NJ, Welch earned a Bachelor of Science at Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ, in 1979, and then completed a master’s program in Public Policy and Administration at Rutgers University.

With more than 25 years of operational and financial leader ship in major academic medical centers and community health systems, Welch has been recognized for strengths in creating operational improvements.

One only has to visit Coral Gables Hospital to see how effective he is as the hospital’s CEO. It is no small wonder he has received national awards by J. D. Power, Healthgrades, Hospital Purchasing News, VHA and AHRMM as an innovative leader for operational effectiveness, quality and cost-saving supply chain programs.

Welch has a background like few others having been a head coach of the Old Bridge Basketball Association from 1999 to 2002; Mayor of the Borough of Califon, 1989-91; chair of the Planning Board, Borough of Califon, 1989-91; PALS (People with ALS) board member, 2006-07, and Field of Hope Gala Committee/MDA-ALS Committee member, 2003-04, and chair 2005-07.

Currently, Welch serves on the boards of directors of Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre and the South Florida Hospital Association, and is a member of the Coral Gables Chamber.

Welch first became involved in volunteerism when his mother passed away after 10 years of living with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, aka Lou Gehrig’s disease). With a strong desire to help out the victims and families dealing with this horrific disease, he became involved with an annual benefit gala for ALS research, and for three of five of those years he served as chair and cochair raising millions for research.

It also spun off a group called PALS, that raised money to help victims and patients with buying equipment for their needs, renovating their homes for handicapped access, and more.

A married man with three daughters, two biological and one adopted from Colombia, Jeff Welch has a smile to brighten any room, a good word for all, organizational and leadership skills in abundance, boundless enthusiasm for his work and for the people with whom he works, and a heart of gold.


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A graduate of the University of Florida with a major in Spanish, Burns has an extensive background in advertising, marketing and reciprocal trade, travel , non profit consulting and management. Before joining Miami's Community Newspapers as a columnist and marketing specialist, Gloria was the Executive Director of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee (6 yrs.) and first Executive Director of the Coral Gables Community Foundation (14 yrs.) and the Pinecrest Community Foundation (1 ½ yrs) . Burns' volunteer activities led her to become a columnist for Community Newspapers writing Gloria’s Gab, that focuses on the non-profit activity, and a host of an online show, Gloria's Gab LIVE. Gloria serves the board of the Rotary Club of Coral Gables as Civic and Charity Chair, and is involved in the club's International Committee. She is an active Life Member of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee and is Secretary of the Merrick Festival. She serves on the board of directors of the Coral Gables Woman' Club as Publicity Chair and also coordinates the club's monthly fundraiser for various charities with Gringo Bingo at Clutch Burger. In addition, Gloria participates in numerous other charitable events and is a member of the Business Forum Group, Profit Inc., the Greater Miami Festival & Events Association and the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. In other volunteer activity, Gloria helps Miami Christian School with fund-raising and PR; is an Ambassador and volunteers for events for A Safe Haven for Newborns. She is an active member of the Music Ministry at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church where she enjoys singing in the choir every weekend.

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