Community Health Centers, Inc., President and Chief Executive Officer Margaret Brennan has announced that she will be retiring early next year.
One of the region's largest non-profit organizations, Community Health Centers, Inc., employs over 540 team members and cares for 70,000 patients annually throughout Central Florida. While under Brennan's leadership, Community Health Centers, Inc. has achieved significant growth, while providing quality and compassionate primary healthcare services to Central Florida's many diverse communities.
Brennan's health centers have earned many industry quality awards, as well as being chosen as a Best and the Brightest Company to Work For, by the National Association for Business Resources (NABR), and recognized for three consecutive years as an Orlando Sentinel Top 100 Company for Working Families. The organization has also earned accreditation from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). In addition, Brennan has been instrumental in launching the organization's Hospital Transition Program, which connect hospitalized patients to primary and specialty care providers within the community - helping to ensure a seamless and quality transition of care.
"I am extremely proud of what we have been able to accomplish at Community Health Centers," said Brennan. "I have been blessed with the opportunity to lead a community-driven organization dedicated to serving patients, in the neighborhoods they live and trust. Our tireless work in providing healthcare excellence has been a bridge over economic, cultural and geographic turbulence," she said.
Throughout her distinguished career, Brennan has been viewed as a dedicated leader, teacher and mentor within the healthcare industry. She first began her career as a staff nurse in 1985 with Memorial Hospital in New York. From there, she advanced to become a charge nurse/team lead with Florida Hospital in Orlando. In 1989, Brennan continued her career path as a healthcare administrator with Physician Associates of Florida, where she remained for nearly 13 years. There, she was responsible for managing the clinical operations of multi-practice sites for the 90-physician medical group.
In 2002, Brennan became the Health Services Division Manager for the Orange County government. In this role, she was an advocate for the uninsured, responsible for facilitating the activities of the Primary Care Access Network (PCAN), as well as oversight of the Orange County Medical Clinic's (OCMC) Specialty Care facility. She served in this capacity until joining Community Health Centers, Inc. in 2015.
With a passion for education, Brennan has taught healthcare administration and leadership for more than a decade at higher educational institutions and has served as an Associate Faculty member for the University of Phoenix. Committed to research, Brennan has traveled throughout the country, sharing best-practice methodologies for healthcare operations and leadership.
Brennan remains a strong believer in community service and giving back to the communities in which she lives and works. She has served as a board member for PCAN, Dental Care Access Foundation, Sexual Assault and Treatment/Victim Services, Special Care Inc., West Orange Health Alliance, and the University of Central Florida School of Nursing Advisory Board.
As a Registered Nurse, she was a member of Sigma Theta Tau International, the National Omicron PSI Honor Society and the American College of Health Improvement. Additionally, she was a Home Town Health Care Award recipient and, most recently, recognized as one of the Orlando Business Journal's CEOs of the Year for 2019.
"I would like to offer my personal and professional appreciation for the leadership and guidance that Margaret has provided during her time with Community Health Centers," says Board Chair Nathaniel Friends. "Our communities are healthier because of the outstanding work and dedication of Margaret and her teams. She has been a true visionary and her legacy will continue to shine for many years. On behalf of the CHC Board of Directors, we thank Margaret for her vision and commitment to serving the needs of our patient population and ensuring Community Health Centers' mission continues."
Following her retirement, Brennan says she looks forward to remaining an active and visible part of the Central Florida community, where she intends to continue volunteering. She looks forward to traveling and spending time with husband John and extended family.
A search is currently underway for Brennan's successor. Additional information will be announced and shared with the community as it becomes available. For more information on Community Health Centers, or for available career opportunities, please visit www.chcfl.org.
