UF Health Executive and Leadership Team

October, 2026

Leadership Overview

UF Health has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, clinical operations, financial management, human resources, and information technology.

Committed to translating scientific discoveries into patient care, UF Health advances medical standards to help individuals regain their quality of life through comprehensive health services.

Leadership Roles at UF Health

  • President & Chief Executive Officer - Stephen Motew
  • Chief Executive Officer, UF Health Rehabilitation Hospital (North) - Greg Brackett
  • Chief Financial Officer, Uf Health Shands Region - Eric Peburn
  • Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - Geoffrey Gardner
  • Vice President, Operations & Chief Operating Officer, UF Health (Shands Region) - Donald McLaughlin
  • Chief of Staff - Derek Hess
  • Associate Chief Information Officer, Uf Health Central Florida - Patricia Rizzo
  • Vice President, Regional Chief Information Officer - Sean Hudson
  • Associate Chief Technology Officer, Crio - Jasen Kloeppel
  • Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer - Edward Daech
  • Stephen Motew - President & Chief Executive Officer

    Stephen Motew, the President & Chief Executive Officer at UF Health, directs the overarching strategic vision for the entire hospital network. Motew oversees the integration of scientific research into daily clinical practice, ensuring that patient care remains at the forefront of organizational priorities. By aligning the efforts of 30,000 faculty and staff, the President & Chief Executive Officer drives excellence across all medical facilities. This leadership role involves constant collaboration with the Board to expand regional healthcare access and improve patient outcomes. Stephen Motew maintains a focus on sustainable growth, ensuring that the institution remains a leader in medical innovation. Through rigorous oversight of clinical and administrative functions, the President & Chief Executive Officer secures the long-term viability of the health system while fostering a culture of discovery and compassionate care for every patient served.
    Stephen Motew

    Greg Brackett - Chief Executive Officer, UF Health Rehabilitation Hospital (North)

    Greg Brackett, the Chief Executive Officer, UF Health Rehabilitation Hospital (North) at UF Health, leads the specialized rehabilitation services provided at the northern facility. Brackett oversees the clinical and administrative operations focused on patient recovery and long-term health outcomes. By fostering a multidisciplinary approach to rehabilitation, the Chief Executive Officer, UF Health Rehabilitation Hospital (North) ensures that patients receive personalized care plans that integrate the latest scientific findings. Greg Brackett manages the facility's budget, staffing, and quality assurance programs to maintain high standards of medical excellence. This role involves coordinating with the broader hospital network to ensure seamless transitions for patients moving from acute care to rehabilitation. Through dedicated leadership, Brackett drives the mission of helping people return to living their best possible life, ensuring that the rehabilitation hospital remains a vital component of the overall health system.
    Greg Brackett

    Eric Peburn - Chief Financial Officer, Uf Health Shands Region

    Eric Peburn, the Chief Financial Officer, Uf Health Shands Region at UF Health, manages the fiscal health and budgetary planning for the Shands regional facilities. Peburn oversees revenue cycle management, capital investments, and cost-containment strategies to ensure the financial sustainability of the hospital network. By analyzing financial performance metrics, the Chief Financial Officer, Uf Health Shands Region provides the data necessary for leadership to make informed decisions regarding medical equipment and facility expansion. Eric Peburn works closely with regional administrators to balance the costs of advanced patient care with the need for long-term institutional growth. This role involves rigorous oversight of financial reporting and compliance to maintain the integrity of the health system. Through disciplined fiscal management, Peburn supports the mission of translating scientific discoveries into tangible patient care advances, ensuring that resources remain available for critical medical services.

    Geoffrey Gardner - Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    Geoffrey Gardner, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at UF Health, directs the global financial strategy and capital allocation for the entire health system. Gardner oversees the long-term financial planning, investment portfolios, and risk management strategies that support the organization's mission. By analyzing macro-level economic trends, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer ensures that the institution maintains the financial strength required to fund scientific research and clinical expansion. Geoffrey Gardner collaborates with the Board and other C-suite leaders to prioritize investments that yield the highest impact on patient care. This role involves maintaining transparency in financial reporting and ensuring compliance with all regulatory standards. Through disciplined financial stewardship, Gardner secures the resources necessary for the health system to continue translating discoveries into advances, ultimately driving the growth and stability of the entire organization.

    Donald McLaughlin - Vice President, Operations & Chief Operating Officer, UF Health (Shands Region)

    Donald McLaughlin, the Vice President, Operations & Chief Operating Officer, UF Health (Shands Region) at UF Health, manages the daily operational logistics and facility management for the Shands region. McLaughlin oversees the coordination of clinical departments, supply chain logistics, and patient flow to ensure maximum efficiency. By optimizing hospital operations, the Vice President, Operations & Chief Operating Officer, UF Health (Shands Region) enables medical staff to focus entirely on patient care and scientific advancement. Donald McLaughlin works with regional leadership to implement process improvements that reduce wait times and enhance the overall patient experience. This role involves constant monitoring of operational metrics to identify areas for growth and resource optimization. Through strategic oversight of daily activities, McLaughlin supports the mission of the health system, ensuring that all facilities operate at peak performance to meet the needs of the community.
    Donald McLaughlin

    Derek Hess - Chief of Staff

    Derek Hess, the Chief of Staff at UF Health, manages the executive office operations and facilitates communication between senior leadership and departmental heads. Hess coordinates complex administrative workflows to ensure that strategic initiatives receive proper attention and resources. By streamlining internal processes, the Chief of Staff enables the executive team to focus on high-impact patient care advances. Derek Hess monitors the execution of organizational goals, providing critical support to the President & Chief Executive Officer during major institutional transitions. This role requires deep engagement with various stakeholders to maintain operational efficiency across the hospital network. Through careful planning and resource allocation, the Chief of Staff ensures that the mission of translating scientific discovery into clinical practice remains consistent throughout the organization. Hess maintains a high standard of administrative excellence to support the broader goals of the health system.

    Patricia Rizzo - Associate Chief Information Officer, Uf Health Central Florida

    Patricia Rizzo, the Associate Chief Information Officer, Uf Health Central Florida at UF Health, architects the digital infrastructure supporting clinical operations within the central region. Rizzo manages the implementation of health information systems that allow medical staff to access critical patient data efficiently. By optimizing electronic health records and data security protocols, the Associate Chief Information Officer, Uf Health Central Florida ensures that technology serves as a catalyst for better patient outcomes. Patricia Rizzo collaborates with regional leadership to align digital tools with the broader mission of scientific discovery and care advancement. This role involves overseeing technical teams to maintain system uptime and data integrity across all central facilities. Through strategic investment in modern software solutions, Rizzo drives the digital transformation necessary to support the complex needs of a large-scale hospital network, ultimately enhancing the quality of care provided to the community.

    Sean Hudson - Vice President, Regional Chief Information Officer

    Sean Hudson, the Vice President, Regional Chief Information Officer at UF Health, directs the information technology strategy across the broader regional footprint. Hudson oversees the deployment of scalable cloud infrastructure and cybersecurity frameworks that protect sensitive patient information. By integrating advanced data analytics into clinical workflows, the Vice President, Regional Chief Information Officer enables medical teams to make evidence-based decisions rapidly. Sean Hudson collaborates with other C-suite leaders to ensure that technology investments directly support the organization's commitment to scientific discovery and patient care. This role involves managing large-scale IT projects that improve connectivity between regional hospitals and research centers. Through the implementation of robust digital systems, Hudson drives operational efficiency and supports the overall mission of the health system, ensuring that technology remains a reliable foundation for all medical services provided to the community.

    Jasen Kloeppel - Associate Chief Technology Officer, Crio

    Jasen Kloeppel, the Associate Chief Technology Officer, Crio at UF Health, architects the specialized technology platforms used for clinical research and innovation. Kloeppel oversees the development of software tools that facilitate the translation of scientific discoveries into practical patient care applications. By managing the technical lifecycle of research-focused systems, the Associate Chief Technology Officer, Crio ensures that data collection and analysis remain accurate and secure. Jasen Kloeppel collaborates with research faculty and clinical teams to build custom solutions that address specific medical challenges. This role involves staying at the forefront of emerging technologies to maintain the institution's competitive edge in medical research. Through the creation of advanced digital environments, Kloeppel drives the organization's ability to innovate, ensuring that scientific breakthroughs are rapidly integrated into the clinical setting to improve patient outcomes across the entire health system.

    Edward Daech - Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer

    Edward Daech, the Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer at UF Health, directs the talent acquisition, employee development, and organizational culture initiatives for the entire workforce. Daech oversees the recruitment of top-tier medical professionals and researchers who drive the mission of scientific discovery. By implementing comprehensive training programs, the Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that staff remain equipped with the latest skills to provide superior patient care. Edward Daech manages labor relations, compensation strategies, and employee engagement efforts to maintain a high-performing environment. This role involves working with the executive team to align human capital with the strategic goals of the hospital network. Through the cultivation of a supportive and professional workplace, Daech supports the 30,000 faculty and staff in their commitment to helping people live their best possible life, ensuring long-term organizational success.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding UF Health Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads UF Health?
    UF Health is led by Stephen Motew (President & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Greg Brackett (Chief Executive Officer, UF Health Rehabilitation Hospital (North)) and Eric Peburn (Chief Financial Officer, Uf Health Shands Region).
    Who is part of UF Health’s executive team?
    The executive team of UF Health includes leaders such as Stephen Motew (President & Chief Executive Officer), Greg Brackett (Chief Executive Officer, UF Health Rehabilitation Hospital (North)), Eric Peburn (Chief Financial Officer, Uf Health Shands Region) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does UF Health have?
    UF Health has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in UF Health’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of UF Health includes roles such as President & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Executive Officer, UF Health Rehabilitation Hospital (North), Chief Financial Officer, Uf Health Shands Region, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Vice President, Operations & Chief Operating Officer, UF Health (Shands Region).