Speakers
Ricardo Forbes is the corporate vice president and chief diversity officer for Baptist Health South Florida. He is responsible for developing the strategy for diversity and inclusion programs at the multi-cultural, multi-ethnic healthcare organization. Mr. Forbes was previously vice president of Baptist Hospital, an affiliate of Baptist Health.
As chief diversity officer, Mr. Forbes works closely with the human resources leadership in the recruiting, hiring, talent development and retention programs for the 14,000+ employees throughout Baptist Health. The organization has received local, regional and national recognition for its employee and family-friendly policies, being named to Working Mother magazine’s 100 Best Companies list 16 times (placing in the top 10 the last two years) and being named one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For by FORTUNE magazine for thirteen years, and named Most Diverse organization in Fortunes Top 100 in 2010 through 2012. In addition to employee diversity projects, Mr. Forbes also helps to build community outreach programs and partnerships, collaborating with government and community relations.
At Baptist Hospital, Mr. Forbes had been responsible for a variety of services over the years, including medical staff services, emergency care, pharmacy, social services, respiratory care, endoscopy services, sleep center, Health Information Management and security. Prior to joining Baptist Hospital, he was administrative director at Parkway Regional Medical Center, an administrator at Jackson Memorial Hospital and administrator of University of Miami Hospital and clinic. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Queens College in New York and a master’s in public health administration from New York University.
Mr. Forbes’ community activities are far reaching. He is the current Chair of the Miami Dade Chamber and Past Chair of Chamber South. Current member of the Board of Directors of Greater Miami Chamber, and past member of the Executive Committee of the Greater Miami Chamber. A member of the Board of Directors of the Beacon Council and an active participant in the One Community One Goal initiative. Past Board member of the St. John CDC in Overtown, to name a few.