Dr. Jojo Dyachim Takes Charge of Mission and Ethics at BayCare Health System
In a significant move for BayCare Health System, Dr. Jojo Dyachim has been appointed as the Vice President of Mission and Ethics, effective March 1. Dr. Dyachim's extensive experience and diverse background in health care make him an ideal candidate to lead this critical aspect of the organization. He previously held several positions within BayCare, including the director of Mission and Ethics, where he contributed to enriching the department's infrastructure and programs.
BayCare Health System, known for being the largest academic health system in West Central Florida, prides itself on its commitment to compassion and excellence in patient care. Dr. Dyachim was drawn to the organization not only for its impressive portfolio but also for its dedicated mission and core values, which unite nearly 34,000 team members in their efforts to serve the community effectively.
Before ascending to his current role, Dr. Dyachim served as a chaplain and Catholic coordinator at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa from 2017 to 2021. His journey in BayCare's ranks continued as he became the spiritual care manager at St. Anthony's Hospital in St. Petersburg, leading to his eventual promotion to director of Mission and Ethics in 2023. Under his leadership, important initiatives were launched, focusing on spiritual and palliative care, ethics, Faith Community Nursing, and global health.
Lou Galdieri, BayCare's Chief Administrative Officer, praised Dr. Dyachim's expansive educational qualifications and varied experiences, which equip him well to guide BayCare as it continues to grow. The transition comes as Colleen Walters, the former vice president of Mission and Ethics, prepares to retire after a successful tenure since 2019.
Dr. Dyachim's educational credentials include a Bachelor of Philosophy and a Master of Theology from the Pontifical Urban University in Rome, alongside a doctorate in health care mission leadership from Loyola University, Chicago. His professional history spans roles beyond the U.S., including vice principal at St. Francis College in Nigeria, demonstrating his commitment to education and ethics in diverse contexts.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Dr. Dyachim commented, “I am deeply honored and elated to serve as vice president of Mission and Ethics. I look forward to advancing our services as BayCare continues to expand and enhancing the moral agency of our clinicians and team members.” His vision includes upholding high ethical standards and fostering conditions conducive to community well-being.
In his prior position as director of Mission and Ethics, Dr. Dyachim spearheaded various educational initiatives designed to enhance the ethical competence across BayCare’s network. This included developing a clinical ethics curriculum for Graduate Medical Education programs and organizing the BayCare Ethics Conference—a platform for professionals to navigate the complex ethical challenges present in healthcare settings.
Dr. Dyachim also leads the BayCare Ethics Council, which oversees strategic ethical practices across all 16 hospitals and numerous service sites within the network. His responsibilities extend to providing expert guidance on ethical matters at BayCare’s Institutional Review Board, contributing to the Artificial Intelligence Governance Steering Committee, and participating on the Executive Steering Committee on Inclusion and Belonging. Furthermore, he ensures the adherence to Catholic identity standards across BayCare’s hospitals.
The overarching mission of BayCare Health System is to enhance the health of the communities it serves through a commitment to high-quality, compassionate care. As Dr. Dyachim embarks on this new chapter, he emphasizes the importance of upholding ethical practices and continuing to advance the organization's values as it adapts to the ever-changing healthcare landscape. For more details on BayCare's extensive network and services, visit
BayCare.org.