Health First Leadership

Terry Forde joined Health First as President and CEO in August 2024. Before joining Health First, he served as President & CEO of Adventist HealthCare in Maryland for more than a decade, where he led significant operational and strategic advancements, including hospital relocations, the creation of a clinically integrated network, and multiple national recognitions for excellence in leadership and workplace culture.

His career spans executive roles in operations and finance with major healthcare systems, including Adventist HealthCare, AdventHealth, HCA, and Avera Health. Known for fostering engaged leadership teams and driving mission integration, Terry is committed to advancing Health First’s vision of delivering high-quality, patient-centered care.

Under his leadership, Health First will continue to strengthen its commitment to the Brevard County community, ensuring innovation, collaboration, and excellence in healthcare.

Kristen Pulio joined Health First as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in September 2024, bringing extensive experience in healthcare finance, revenue management, and operational strategy.

Previously, she served as CFO of Adventist HealthCare, where she played a key role in driving financial stability, optimizing revenue cycle operations, and expanding access to care for underserved populations.

Under her leadership, Adventist HealthCare achieved financial growth while maintaining a strong commitment to community health initiatives. Kristen’s strategic cost management and investment in employee engagement helped sustain high-quality care and operational excellence.

With a proven track record of financial leadership and innovation, she is dedicated to strengthening Health First’s mission and ensuring continued financial sustainability. Her collaborative leadership style and deep expertise will be instrumental in advancing Health First’s commitment to delivering exceptional healthcare to the Brevard County community.

Nicholas Romanello has served as Health First’s Chief Legal Officer since 2016, overseeing all legal affairs and providing counsel to executive leadership and the board of trustees on corporate governance, business development, and litigation. He also leads enterprise risk management, compliance, privacy, government relations, and internal audit functions.

As Health First expands beyond Florida’s Space Coast, Nicholas guides a team of attorneys and external counsel to support business initiatives while managing legal and operational risks in a complex regulatory environment. 
Previously, he served as Chief Legal Officer for the Health Care District of Palm Beach County and General Counsel for the Florida Department of Health. He also advised the fifth-largest public hospital system in the U.S.

A member and past chair of the Florida Board of Medicine, Nicholas is active in legal and healthcare organizations. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and a Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University School of Law.

Jamie Forrest is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Health First Health Plans. In this dual capacity, Forrest leads strategic planning and guides daily operations across both clinical and business functions—including care management, provider relations, and member services. She is responsible for driving performance improvement, executing business strategy, championing organizational culture, and ensuring regulatory compliance and financial stewardship.

Forrest joined Health First Health Plans, Inc. in 2006 as Manager of Group Services. Since then, she has held leadership roles in Sales, Account Management, Regulatory Affairs, Compliance, Product Development, and Strategic Partnerships. She was appointed Vice President in 2014 and advanced to Chief Operating Officer in 2020. Her leadership has resulted in measurable improvements in claims payment timeliness, customer experience, and membership growth.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Forrest is recognized for her collaborative leadership style and her commitment to fostering a culture of transparency and excellence.

As CAO, Cheyana leads Patient Safety and Clinical Risk Management, Human Resources, Leadership Development, Privacy and Integrity, and our Enterprise Project Management Office, including our change management and process improvement teams. 

With over two decades of experience in nursing and healthcare leadership, Cheyana began her career at AdventHealth Orlando in 2004 before joining Health First at Holmes Regional Medical Center in 2008. She played a pivotal role in opening Viera Hospital in 2011 and advanced through leadership roles, including Director of Nursing, Vice President of Nursing, and Hospital Administrator.

Committed to quality, safety, and patient-centered care, Cheyana’s leadership ensures Health First continues to deliver high-quality, compassionate care to the communities it serves.

Michael Carr is the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Health First, leading technology, data, and cybersecurity strategies to enhance patient care and operational efficiency. With over 18 years in healthcare IT, he aligns technology with clinical workflows to improve outcomes.

Since joining Health First in 2019, Michael has served as Chief Technology Officer and Chief Information Security Officer before becoming CIO in 2023. He previously held leadership roles at Legacy Health and Providence Health, specializing in technology-driven healthcare solutions.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Concordia University and an MBA from George Fox University. He is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Certified Healthcare CIO (CHCIO).

Under his leadership, Health First is implementing Epic across its patient care and health insurance divisions, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and practical, fit-for-purpose solutions that enhance clinician and patient experiences.

Dr. Andrew “Drew” Fink joined Health First as President of Community Health Services in August 2024, bringing over two decades of experience in healthcare leadership.

Before joining Health First, he spent 18 years in various leadership roles at BayCare Health System, where he began his career as a practicing internist. As President of BayCare Medical Group from 2018 to 2023, he steered the multispecialty organization through 40% growth, increasing patient visits by more than 36% and expanding the provider base by over 34%. His leadership enhanced clinical, operational, and financial performance while addressing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Fink’s strategic vision, dedication to patient-centered care, and emphasis on operational excellence align with Health First’s mission to improve healthcare access and outcomes for the Brevard County community.

Mike Mullowney is President of Health First’s Hospital Division, overseeing four hospitals, including a Level II Trauma Center, with 900+ beds and 4,000 associates. Previously, as COO of Health First Medical Group, he led the organization to become the first and only Medical Group in Florida to earn the 2023 Governor’s Sterling Award for excellence in management and operations, a recognition based on Baldrige criteria for performance excellence.

Before joining Health First in 2019, Mike spent 23 years at Atrium Health in executive leadership roles across hospital operations, service lines, and physician networks. He holds a Master of Healthcare Administration from UNC-Chapel Hill and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

A former Division I soccer player and coach, Mike remains passionate about the sport. His core values are rooted in faith, family, and teamwork.

Michael Seeley serves as the President of the Health First Foundation, bringing more than 25 years of experience in developing and strengthening comprehensive fund development strategies for health systems and not-for-profit organizations.

Before joining Health First in October 2016, Michael was the Vice President of Development at Florida Institute of Technology (FIT), where he was responsible for identifying and cultivating sources of philanthropic, investment, and contract revenue. Prior to that, he held leadership roles at two large health systems, working closely with community physicians and health professionals to drive philanthropic growth.

As President of the Health First Foundation, Michael serves as the Chief Development Officer for the Health First system. He oversees all fundraising activities, Community Benefit programs, and community partnerships supporting needs identified in the Community Health Needs Assessment. Additionally, he serves as the Designated Institutional Official for Graduate Medical Education Programs.

Heather Spillman serves as the Senior Vice President of Strategy at Health First, bringing nearly two decades of experience in healthcare management consulting and strategic planning.

Before joining Health First, she was a Partner and Healthcare Co-Practice Leader at Citrin Cooperman & Co., LLP, where she led strategic initiatives for health systems, physician practices, post-acute care providers, investment banks, and private equity firms. Heather holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Public Policy from Georgia Institute of Technology.

In her role at Health First, she leads enterprise-wide strategy development, marketing and communications, and the enterprise Program Management Office.