James J. Kelly Jr. has been named interim CEO of UF Health Shands. Kelly is the hospital system’s senior vice president and chief financial officer, and he will continue to fulfill these roles while operating in his new position.

Kelly joined UF Health Shands in October 2012. He has led the Finance & Accounting teams responsible for overseeing financial planning and analysis, tax and reimbursement, accounts payable, accounting, treasury, revenue cycle and managed care contracting.

His vital role as part of hospital leadership has been instrumental in the system’s growth and stability. Kelly and other hospital leaders will work hard to maintain a culture of excellence while focusing on the hospital system’s commitment to delivering the highest-quality care possible.

Kelly earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from the State University of New York at Albany. Prior to joining UF Health Shands, he served as corporate controller for Partners HealthCare System in Boston.

Kelly has also been active within the Gainesville community. He serves on the board of directors of LifeSouth Community Blood Centers and Oak Hammock at the University of Florida. In addition, Kelly has served as an ex-officio board member of the University of Florida Investment Corporation.

To support the interim CEO position, both Traci d’Auguste, MBA, MSHA, chief operating officer, and Bob Thornton, vice president of Finance, will assume more responsibilities.

While maintaining her position as UF Health Shands chief operating officer, d’Auguste will now be the liaison for human resources, facilities, security and biomed. She will continue working with nursing & patient services, supply chain, operations, labs, surgical services, the UF Health Psychiatric Hospital and Florida Recovery Center.

Thornton, vice president of Finance, will be the liaison for the revenue cycle function and managed care. He will continue working with accounting, financial reporting, treasury management, budgeting, financial analysis and reimbursement.