BayCare announced today that it has named Nicole (Nikki) Johanson, RN, MSN, MBA, as the first leader for its new medical group dedicated to women’s health. Johanson began her role as vice president and chief operating officer of BayCare Women’s Medical Group on March 30.
In this role, Johanson will oversee the strategy, operations and performance of the BayCare Women’s Medical Group, which is part of BayCare’s continued commitment to advancing women’s health and strengthening its maternity services. This new group is separate from BayCare Medical Group, West Central Florida’s largest multispecialty physician group. The separate structures will allow BayCare to build a different physician model that will continue to support the rich relationships it now enjoys with thousands of women’s health specialists throughout the region.
BayCare delivers more babies than any other hospital system in West Central Florida. In 2025, there were 13,255 births at the seven BayCare hospitals that offer labor and delivery services, as well as neonatal intensive care units.
“Nikki is a proven leader with the experience and expertise to build this team and strengthen our existing relationships with community providers,” said BayCare Chief Operating Officer Kimberly Guy. “We are excited to have her join us in providing high-quality, compassionate care for the women of West Central Florida through comprehensive health services.”
The establishment of the BayCare Women’s Medical Group as a dedicated women’s health provider group will complement the BayCare Women’s Institute that coordinates women’s health services across BayCare’s integrated health system. Together, the two groups ensure alignment across clinical, operational and strategic priorities, addressing the full life cycle of a woman’s health needs.
Johanson brings more than 23 years of health care experience, including 17 years of progressive leadership experience in multi-site, national health care operations. She most recently served as president and chief operating officer of Growth Orthopedics.
Her previous roles include regional vice president of operations for Surgical Care Affiliates in Florida; partner/consultant for Surgery Center Consulting Services in Tampa; chief operating officer for Physician Business Services/Women’s Care Florida in Tampa; and leadership positions with Laser Spine Institute, including senior vice president of medical operations, vice president of nursing and ASC operations, director of nursing and RN team lead. After nursing school, she worked as a critical care nurse at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix.
“I’m honored to join an organization that makes such a meaningful difference in our community,” Johanson said. “I look forward to partnering with this talented team to build a women’s health medical group centered on high-quality, accessible care.”
Johanson has a Master of Science in Nursing and an MBA in Healthcare from the University of Phoenix, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Valparaiso University and a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Ball State University. She is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
