Ascension St. Vincent’s has named Sean McAfee president and CEO of Ascension St. Vincent’s St. Johns County, effective July 5, according to a June 25 news release.
McAfee has served as interim president and CEO of the acute care hospital at 205 Trinity Way off County Road 210 since the spring. He succeeds Cory Darling.
McAfee previously served as the hospital’s chief nursing officer and chief operating officer. The facility opened in 2022.
“My priority is to build on the incredible foundation we’ve created together by continuing to foster a culture where associates and physicians feel supported and empowered to deliver the exceptional care the St. Johns County community deserves,” McAfee said.
According to World Population Review, St. Johns County’s population grew from 277,119 in 2020 to 359,322 in 2026, an increase of nearly 30%.
McAfee is a native of Northeast Florida. He served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy Reserve before transitioning into healthcare, where he has more than 30 years of operational and clinical experience.
Incoming Ascension St. Vincent President and CEO Scott Kashman called McAfee’s leadership “instrumental in building a high-performing hospital rooted in compassion and excellence,” adding he is confident McAfee will continue expanding access to care in St. Johns County.
Kashman was named CEO of the Ascension St. Vincent healthcare system June 18. His tenure begins July 1.
Ascension St. Vincent’s St. Johns County is a 163,200-square-foot, 56-bed facility. It was issued building permits for its foundation and shell in February 2021 at a total cost of $58.7 million.
On June 11, Ascension broke ground on its 28,000-square-foot Family Birth Place, which is designed to offer labor and delivery services and a Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. It is scheduled to open by the end of 2027, the hospital says.
Jacksonville-based Prosser | Prime AE is the civil engineer for the Family Birth Place project.
Ascension St. Vincent’s, based in Jacksonville, operates four hospitals, including two in Jacksonville, one in Middleburg and the location in St. Johns County. It also has more than 90 other sites of care and employs more than 5,300 associates.