Leading the way
Meet Our Leaders
The administrative team at Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center guides the hospital in achieving its mission, offering valuable leadership that steers us toward improved patient care and safety. Each experienced member of our administration is dedicated to using his or her skills and knowledge to help patients and families in our community defeat cancer.
“No one should face cancer alone. Together, we provide support and tools to help patients live as fully as possible.”
– LEEANN MENGEL, BSN, MBA, Vice President
Medical Director
Joe B. Putnam, Jr., MD, FACS
As Medical Director of Baptist MD Anderson, Dr. Putnam ("Bill") is responsible for directing, planning and coordinating all clinical activities for Baptist MD Anderson and its physicians.
Before his role as Medical Director, Dr. Putnam worked as a professor of surgery and chairman of the Department of Thoracic Surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn, Ingram Professor of Cancer Research and program director for the residency program in Thoracic Surgery. Prior to Vanderbilt, Dr. Putnam was with the faculty of The Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He served as deputy chairman of the Department from 1995 to 2004.Dr. Putnam was activated during Operation Desert Storm as a Naval Reservist and served as Department Head of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Naval Hospital San Diego. He retired in 2011 as a Captain (O-6), Medical Corps, United States Naval Reserve after 21 years of service.
Certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, Dr. Putnam received his undergraduate degree in chemistry with honors, and his medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, N.C. He completed his surgical internship and junior assistant resident in surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Md., his general surgery residency at The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in Rochester, N.Y. and residency in cardiothoracic surgery at The University of Michigan (Ann Arbor).
Vice President
LeeAnn Mengel, BSN, MBA, FACHE, CMPE
LeeAnn Mengel, BSN, MBA, FACHE, CMPE, serves as Administrator and Senior Vice President of Oncology. In her role, she provides operational and strategic leadership for oncology services and programs across Baptist Health.
Board-certified through the American College of Medical Practice Executives (CMPE) and a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), Mengel began her healthcare career as a registered nurse and has more than 30 years of experience in healthcare administration. Prior to her current role, she held leadership positions across specialty services, physician enterprise operations, practice development, physician recruiting and contracting, and healthcare consulting.
Mengel earned her bachelor's degree in nursing and master's degree in business. She serves on the Advisory Council for Healthcare Management Academy in addition to multiple Baptist Health leadership councils and boards. Mengel was recognized as a Jacksonville Business Journal Woman of Influence in 2024. She is active in several professional and community organizations throughout Northeast Florida including the UNF Department of Health Advisory Board, Boy Scouts of America, and Women’s Ministry.
Meet Your Care Team
From our physicians and nurse navigators to our pharmacists and social workers, everyone at Baptist MD Anderson plays an invaluable role in your care. Across multiple specialties and services, we come together to take care of you through every step in your journey.
On behalf of our physicians, nurses, advanced practice providers, and many talented team members, we extend our deepest appreciation to all who support our shared mission of Making Cancer History!
—DR. BILL PUTNAM, Medical Director