Florida Hospital Association Recognizes BayCare President & CEO

Steve Mason Honored with the 2014 Spirit of Advocacy Award

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Oct 27, 2014, 11:57 ET

CLEARWATER, Fla., Oct. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- BayCare president and CEO, Steve Mason, was recognized at the Florida Hospital Association's Celebration of Achievement in Quality and Service Awards. Mason received the Ralph Glatfelter Spirit of Advocacy Award for his efforts advocating on behalf of Florida's hospitals and patients.

Mason, an active member of the FHA Board of Trustees, served as the chair in 2010. During his involvement, he has contributed significantly to the statewide effort to secure coverage for uninsured Floridians. Additionally, Mason's contributions were recognized in 2012 at the national level when the American Hospital Association named him Florida's Grassroots Champion.

"As the largest community-based health system in the region, BayCare strives to bring compassionate, quality health care to every patient, especially the vulnerable populations that are frequently uninsured," Mason said. "We work hard every day to help members of our community gain coverage through any available means because we feel a strong sense of personal accountability toward our Mission to improve the health of all we serve, with no qualifiers on their ability to pay. This is part of who we are, and our continued commitment to the Tampa Bay region, and also to the state of Florida."

The FHA's Celebration of Achievement in Quality and Service Awards honored 12 caregivers and hospitals. The event pays tribute to caregivers and innovation in the areas of patient safety, employee and community engagement.

"We are pleased to recognize Steve Mason as the 2014 Ralph Glatfelter Spirit of Advocacy Award winner," said FHA President Bruce Rueben. "Steve is a tireless and highly effective advocate for patient centered health care. He's actively engaged in shaping policy at both the state and federal levels. Steve's leadership efforts to secure health care coverage for uninsured Floridians is a clear example of his commitment to the patients we serve."

About BayCare Health System

BayCare Health System is a leading community-based health system in the Tampa Bay area. Composed of a network of 11 not-for-profit hospitals, outpatient facilities and services such as imaging, lab, behavioral health and home health care, BayCare provides expert medical care throughout a patient's lifetime. With more than 280 access points conveniently located throughout Tampa Bay, BayCare connects patients to a complete range of preventive, diagnostic and treatment services for any health care need.

BayCare's family of hospitals are: Mease Countryside, Mease Dunedin, Morton Plant, Morton Plant North Bay, St. Anthony's, St. Joseph's, St. Joseph's Children's, St. Joseph's Hospital-North, St. Joseph's Women's, South Florida Baptist, and Winter Haven. For more information, visit BayCare on the Web at www.BayCare.org.

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SOURCE BayCare Health System