Clearwater, Fla.-based BayCare Health System has named Kate Sawa as its first chief philanthropy officer.
Ms. Sawa will continue to serve as president of the St. Joseph’s Hospitals Foundation, including the St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Foundation, while expanding her role to lead systemwide philanthropic initiatives, according to a Dec. 19 news release. She will work with leaders of four other foundations affiliated with BayCare, all of which will retain independent boards.
She joined BayCare in 2021 and has helped spearhead a number of fundraising efforts, including a $50 million naming gift in 2023 to support the future Pagidipati Children’s Hospital at St. Joseph’s, which is scheduled to open in 2030.
Ms. Sawa previously held local and national leadership roles at the American Heart Association and founded a nonprofit inspired by her sister’s experience with Down syndrome.
BayCare operates 16 hospitals.
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