Leadership
Our leadership team works closely with our locally-based governing boards and our clinical teams to lead quality care that is focused on the individual needs of patients and families.
Allegra C. Jaros, MBA
Hospital President
Allegra Jaros joined Wolfson Children’s Hospital in January 2023. Prior to that, she served as vice president of Buffalo-Niagara, New York-based Kaleida Health and as president of John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital, a regional center for pediatric trauma, surgical and medical care, including neonatal, perinatal and obstetric services.
Jaros is a long-time healthcare leader with a passion for issues impacting children and families, serving on the Children's Hospital Association Finance Committee since 2013 and as COO for Child Health Corporation of America since 2001. She graduated from Leadership Buffalo and was recognized numerous times as one of the most influential leaders in Western New York Healthcare, receiving the Buffalo Business First Power 250 Award, Power 200 Women Award and Woman of Distinction Award.
Jaros received her Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Canisius College in Buffalo, where she also earned her Master of Business Administration degree with an emphasis on health care.
Jaros is married to Jason and they have two children, daughter Jaden and son Parker. She enjoys exploring new places with her family, reading and walks with friends.
Cicely (CC) Brooks, MSN, RN-C, C-EFM, NE-BC, FABC
Vice President, Patient Care Services
Cicely (CC) Brooks, MSN, RN-C, C-EFM, NE-BC, FABC, serves as Wolfson Children’s Hospital Vice President, Patient Care Services and Chief Nurse Executive at Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville and Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
A Jacksonville native, Brooks has worked for Baptist Health for more than 20 years. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of North Florida in 2000, where she started as a Graduate Nurse in Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville’s Labor and Delivery unit. Several years later, Brooks became the manager for both Labor and Delivery and the Maternal Newborn department. In 2011, she obtained her Master of Science in Nursing Administration from Jacksonville University. She later became a nursing director for adult Medical/Surgical Telemetry, Oncology, Bariatrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics.
Brooks holds a number of certifications and is a Board-Certified Nurse Executive and a Fellow of the Advisory Board. She also has oversight of Perinatal Services across the Baptist Health system. In late 2018, she accepted the newly integrated position of Chief Nurse Executive for both Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville and Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
CC has been married to her husband, Marcus Brooks, for 20 years and they have three children, Miles, Layla and Mason.
Megan Denk
Executive Director
THE PLAYERS Center for Child Health
Megan Denk is the Executive Director of THE PLAYERS Center for Child Health at Wolfson Children’s Hospital. Under her leadership, THE PLAYERS Center for Child Health is committed to enhancing the health, wellness and quality of life of families throughout Northeast Florida by extending the reach of Wolfson Children’s Hospital. Created to help prevent unnecessary hospitalizations, THE PLAYERS Center for Child Health focuses on prevention, health and wellness, access and community education.
In her role, Denk is responsible for providing strategic direction on population health efforts. She leads the Community Health Needs Assessment and implementation plan development for Wolfson Children’s Hospital. Denk also provides leadership for the Family Support Services, Pediatric Social Work and Women’s Resource teams.
Denk is actively involved in the community; she is the former Chair of Northeast Florida Healthy Start Coalition and former Chair of the Duval County Public Schools School Health Advisory Council. Denk is a member of the Leadership Jacksonville Class of 2022 and was named to the Jacksonville Business Journal’s 40 under 40 list in 2018. In 2019, Denk was recognized by the Jacksonville Legal Aid and the Northeast Florida Medical Legal Partnership as its Bridges to Justice Honoree, and was the recipient of the Northeast Florida Healthy Start Philip H Gilbert Award.
Denk received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Florida. She and her husband, Ed, have two young children, Bailey and Beckett.
Thabata Ford, FACHE
Vice President, Operations, Wolfson Children’s Hospital and System Pulmonary
Thabata Ford serves as Vice President, Operations, Wolfson Children’s Hospital and System Pulmonary
Prior to joining the hospital in 2013, Thabata worked as a Health Care Policy Analyst for the Florida House of Representatives. During her time in the House she worked on many health care issues including Medicaid Reform, Family and Child Welfare, and Hospital and Facility Regulation. Prior to working in the House, Thabata worked for the Florida Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget and the Florida Department of Health.
A Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), she also serves as the communications director for the ACHE’s North Florida Chapter. She was named to the Jacksonville Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 list for 2019. Her community endeavors include serving as vice president on the 2019-2020 board of trustees for Episcopal Children’s Services. She is also a member of United Way’s Women and Local Leadership group and the Ronald McDonald House “Red Shoe Crew.”
A two-time graduate of Florida State University, Thabata graduated in 2010 with her Master’s in Public Health and in 2006 with her Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in Criminology. Thabata was born in Miami and raised in Florida. She enjoys reading, exercising, cheering on Florida State football, and spending time with her husband Valentino and two daughters, Sasha and Taryn.
Brian P. Gilligan, MD
Vice President, Medical Affairs at Wolfson Children’s Hospital
Brian P. Gilligan, MD, serves as Interim Vice President, Medical Affairs, and Chief of Staff for Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Gilligan is a board-certified pediatric emergency medicine physician and current Chief of Staff at Wolfson Children's Hospital. He is the medical director of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at the Wolfson Children’s Emergency Center at Baptist Medical Center South and is the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship site director for Wolfson Children's Hospital. He is on the Board of Directors for Emergency Resources Group and Telescope Health.
Dr. Gilligan earned his medical degree at the University of Minnesota Medical School, completed his pediatric residency at the University of Michigan, and pediatric emergency medicine fellowship at the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville.
Dr. Gilligan is married to Katherine and enjoys spending time and playing sports with their children and grandchildren, as well as traveling and reading.
Tracey Porter, EMHR, M.ED
Director, Human Resources
Porter has over 20 years of diversified HR experience. Prior to joining Baptist Health in 2020, he held numerous global HR roles with the General Electric Company, Tyco International and the Kraton Corporation. His previous roles focused on leadership development, HR strategy, change management, talent acquisition and organizational design.
Porter served as an adjunct professor at the University of Mary Washington, Vice Chairman of the Board for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) - Jacksonville, and Board Chairman for the Omega Hope Foundation.
He has a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Mary Washington, a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and Education Administration from James Madison University, and a master’s degree in Human Resources Leadership from Rutgers University.
Jeff Stephenson
Vice President, Operational Finance
Jeff Stephenson joined Baptist Health in 1998 and has served in a number of important roles, including serving as the Director of Finance for Baptist Medical Center South for 14 years before being appointed the Operational Director of Finance for Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville and Wolfson Children’s Hospital. He currently serves as Vice President, Operational Finance for Baptist Jacksonville, Baptist South, Wolfson Children’s Hospital, Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Baptist Foundation.
A Jacksonville native, Stephenson and his wife Angela are active members of their church. He enjoys traveling, watching sports, and shooting sporting clays.
