Shepherd's Hope Hires New President/CEO

(May 1, 2023) Donna Walsh has been appointed President and CEO of Shepherd’s Hope effective June 5, 2023. Mrs. Walsh previously served as the Health Officer for the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County. As a proven leader and community liaison recognized for more than 35 years of expertise in the field of public health and administration, Walsh has dedicated the last decade collaborating with community agencies and members to ensure the health and well-being of residents.

Walsh is recognized for her expertise in the field of public health serving on multiple community boards, including the Seminole County Opioid Council, Leadership Seminole, Seminole County Youth Commission Board of Directors, J. Douglas Williams YMCA Family Center Board of Directors in Lake Mary, Central Florida Cares Board of Directors, Central Florida Health and Hunger Task Force, and Healthy Seminole Collaborative, among others. Walsh is a formally trained nurse and epidemiologist who has worked in the field of public health for more than 35 years and held leadership positions with the Florida Department of Health for more than 18 years. She graduated from the University of Central Florida Nursing Program in 1986 and received her master’s in public administration from the same university in 2008. She has established community partnerships and creating innovative solutions to meet the needs of communities.

In her capacity as Seminole County Health Department executive/administrator and Chief Health Strategist, Walsh has prioritized innovation and relationship-building to direct agency operations for more than 200 employees and a community of more than 470,000 citizens.

“Donna embodies all the qualifications we need for leadership at this time: a career in healthcare at the executive level, valuable connections across Central Florida, non-profit Board experience, successful management of diverse teams, and a genuinely warm heart and deep commitment to serving those in need. I could not be more excited and confident about our future with Donna sharing her gifts and compassion through Shepherd’s Hope,” said William Barnes, Founder and Interim CEO of Shepherd’s Hope 

“As a servant leader with considerable executive experience in developing effective teams and nurturing the culture of an agency to exceptional performance and collegiality through change management, quality improvement, innovation and collaboration, I am grateful for the opportunity to lead the dedicated and compassionate staff and volunteers at Shepherd’s Hope on their continued mission to provide free healthcare for the uninsured and those most vulnerable in our community.This leadership role allows me to answer a call to service and continue my life’s journey and passion to serve those most in need,” said Donna Walsh. “I look forward to growing partnerships and donor support to strengthen our position in Central Florida.”

Shepherd’s Hope is celebrating 26 years of creating a healthy community in Central Florida: providing free, quality healthcare for the uninsured. Their primary, acute and specialty care medical services are provided by licensed medical and patient service volunteers. Since 1997 they have provided more than 310,000 free patient visits and medical services. For additional information call 407-896-6699 or visit www.ShepherdsHope.org.

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