Gail Ryder, vice president of behavioral health at BayCare Health System, has been named the Florida Hospital Association’s (FHA) Health Care Leader of the Year for 2025. The announcement was made during the FHA’s annual meeting on October 9.
Ryder has over thirty years of experience in behavioral health care. She has overseen BayCare’s behavioral health division, which is now recognized as the largest provider of mental health and addiction services in West Central Florida. Her leadership has led to expanded access to care and improvements in patient outcomes throughout the Tampa Bay area.
Mary C. Mayhew, president and CEO of FHA, stated: “Hospital leaders across Florida are strong forces for innovative health care, transforming how care is delivered. Gail Ryder is a visionary leader in advancing behavioral health across Florida communities.”
During her tenure, Ryder directed a multi-year expansion plan to address shortages among behavioral health providers. This effort resulted in hiring more than 65 clinicians and adding around two dozen psychiatric beds within BayCare’s network. She also initiated BayCare’s Behavioral Health Integration program, which brings mental health services into primary care settings to support early intervention and reduce stigma associated with seeking help.
BayCare continues to offer a range of healthcare services throughout the region, including programs that integrate hospital, medical, and prescription drug benefits under its BayCarePlus Medicare Advantage Plans.
