Nicklaus Children’s Taps Market President to Serve as Health System Chief Operating Officer, Chief Clinical Officer Appointed to Chief Physician Executive

Published on: 07/28/2026

In effort to continue prioritizing the expansion of access to world-class pediatric care throughout the region, Nicklaus Children's Health System has announced two executive leadership appointments designed to strengthen clinical and operational alignment across its expanding pediatric health care network.

The appointments come as Nicklaus Children's continues to expand from a single-hospital institution to a regional health system serving children and families through a growing network of hospitals, specialty centers, ambulatory locations, urgent care centers and community-based partnerships across South Florida.

Yair Katz has been appointed senior vice president and chief operating officer of Nicklaus Children's Health System, the parent organization of Nicklaus Children's Hospital and its outpatient facilities. Dr. Marcos Mestre has been appointed senior vice president, chief physician executive and chief clinical officer.

Katz will oversee operational leadership across the health system, including its three hospitals, clinical institutes, ambulatory network, urgent care centers, and market operations. He will be responsible for advancing operational excellence, strengthening integration across the organization's growing network, and ensuring a consistent, high-quality experience for patients and families.

His responsibilities include oversight of regional operations, operational leadership of Nicklaus Children's Pediatric Specialists, institute administrative leadership, and other operational leaders throughout the health system.

In his new role, Dr. Mestre will lead the health system's clinical enterprise and oversee efforts to advance its academic mission in partnership with FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, strengthen physician alignment, improve quality and clinical outcomes, while also supporting the continued growth of its pediatric clinical institutes.

Dr. Mestre will oversee physician leadership across the organization, including the chief medical officer of Nicklaus Children's hospitals, chief medical officer of Nicklaus Children's Pediatric Specialists, chief quality officer and physician leaders.

"These leadership appointments reflect the continued evolution of Nicklaus Children's as a regional pediatric leader," said Matthew A. Love, president and CEO of Nicklaus Children's Health System.

"As we expand our mission to bring specialized pediatric care closer to more families in the region, it is essential that we strengthen alignment across our clinical, operational and administrative teams. Dr. Mestre and Yair are exceptional leaders whose expertise and commitment to our mission will help ensure we continue delivering the highest-quality care while supporting future expansion of our life-saving work."

The leadership changes are intended to enhance coordination across the growing health system, support continued growth and expand access to pediatric specialty care throughout the communities Nicklaus Children's serves.