Former legislator takes leadership spot at hospital

ST. PETERSBURG — Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg has appointed Kimberly Berfield as the teaching hospital's vice president of government and community affairs.

Berfield is a former deputy secretary of the Florida Department of Health and state representative from Clearwater. According to a press release, her addition “will strengthen the 90-year-old hospital's community outreach as well as increase its visibility in Tallahassee's corridors of influence.”

Prior to joining Johns Hopkins, Berfield served as business strategy and development contractor for the Florida branch of Primerica, an independent financial services marketing organization. She also was the director of government affairs for Tampa-based Wellcare Health Plans.

"Kimberly is a proven leader, coalition builder and long-range strategist who will spearhead our community mission-based initiatives,” says Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital President and Vice Dean Dr. Jonathan Ellen in a statement. “Her addition stretches our capacity to fulfill our mission of providing child health through treatment, education, advocacy and research, locally and beyond.”