Seasoned healthcare executive Bill Duquette has been named chief executive officer of South Miami Hospital, a 453-bed acute-care hospital that is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest not-for-profit healthcare organization in the region. He succeeds Lincoln Mendez, who was named chief executive officer of Boca Raton Regional Hospital, Baptist Health’s newest affiliate.
Mr. Duquette brings to this new role nearly three decades of experience with Baptist Health’s Homestead Hospital, where he served as chief executive officer for the past 13 years. Prior to that role, he held various administrative positions, including vice president of operations, administrative director of laboratory services and performance improvement coordinator.
Under Mr. Duquette’s leadership, Homestead Hospital earned prestigious accreditations and was named three times to the Leap Frog Group’s Top Hospital list for excellence in hospital quality, patient safety and efficiency. Mr. Duquette led efforts to open Baptist Health Follow-Up Care, a clinic that provides continuity of care to patients and reduces hospital admissions. He also collaborated with his team to establish the Grow2Heal garden, a community garden that provides farm-to-hospital organic produce and educational opportunities. Other innovative patient care initiatives launched during his tenure include a laborist program and a robust hospitalist program, as well as a routine infectious disease screening program for patients being treated in the hospital’s Emergency Center — a first in Florida.
“Bill’s wealth of experience and vast knowledge of Baptist Health will position him well for this new role,” said Brian E. Keeley, president and chief executive officer of Baptist Health. “He is committed to Baptist Health’s mission and vision and his leadership drives our organization to exceed the expectations of our patients and improve the overall health of the communities we serve. He will undoubtedly continue the positive momentum at South Miami Hospital that was sustained by Lincoln Mendez.”
In addition to his hospital leadership role, Mr. Duquette is active in the community. He is a Board member and former Chairman of the South Dade Chamber of Commerce. He serves on the Boards of the South Florida Hospital and Healthcare Association and South Florida Evaluation and Treatment Center. He also is an advisory Board member of Nova Southeastern University and a member of the Rotary Club of Homestead.
Mr. Duquette earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami and a master’s degree in public health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He and his wife, Gladis, live in the Redland and have an adult daughter.
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