Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences in Jacksonville has doubled its Radiograph Technologist Program cohort to 20 students. The move takes place as Mayo Clinic recently opened its Duan Family Building, which will include seven MRI machines and require more radiograph technologists.
“By offering affordable education and launching a focused MRI internship, we’re creating a reliable, well-trained pipeline that directly supports our imaging needs and helps retain talent within Mayo Clinic Florida,” says David Ausejo, director of education at Mayo Clinic in Florida.
The program includes training in diagnostic imaging and hands-on experience. A new MRI internship will also help prepare graduates for the MRI registry exam.
A 2025 survey from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists reported a 15.6% vacancy rate within the field.
Advanced Ag
Agriculture involves more technology than you might think, and that’s one motivation behind the College of Central Florida’s new associate of science degree in precision agriculture, to be offered starting this fall.
This is the first degree of its kind in the state and was created to support a need within the state for skilled professionals, according to James Henningsen, president of the Ocala-based college.
The program will focus on the use of artificial intelligence, automated equipment, drones, robots and sensors to boost production and conserve natural resources.
Potential careers for this type of degree include precision agriculture specialists, agronomic consultants, farm data analysts, drone operators and equipment technicians.
The school already has a degree in agribusiness management; it also has the only working farm campus in the Florida College System.
CRUISES
- Norwegian Cruise Line has debuted a new cruise ship out of Jacksonville, the Norwegian Gem, offering trips to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. The ship will operate between November and April through 2028.
HEALTH
- Matthew A. Zuino is the new CEO of Baptist Health in Jacksonville. He had been COO of Baptist Health since 2020, and he succeeds Michael A. Mayo, who announced plans to retire.
- AdventHealth has opened a 3,000-sq.-ft. facility in St. Augustine. The location includes several specialties under one roof. Although new to St. Johns County, AdventHealth has had a presence in neighboring Flagler County for more than 20 years.
- Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville, has received a $5.2 million donation from the Daily’s Foundation of Jacksonville to build a conference center at its specialty care location. The gift will go toward redeveloping the current Daily’s Foundation Pavilion into a multipurpose conference center. The Daily’s Foundation has donated more than $10 million to Nemours in recent years.
JAX HUB
- JAX Hub has opened to speed up global investment in Northeast Florida, with the help of founders L Marks of London, the City of Jacksonville, Paysafe, and the University of North Florida. JAX Hub grew out of a 2023 U.K. and Florida agreement to strengthen trade and innovation.
CADRE
- Cadre Holdings of Jacksonville has announced plans to acquire TYR Tactical of Peoria, Ariz., in a $175-million deal. The company manufactures tactical gear and equipment for military, law enforcement and government agencies. TYR Tactical had a 2024 revenue of $92.6 million. The deal is expected to close in the first half of this year.
- Cadre subsidiary Med-Eng has received a five-year, $50-million maximum contract from the U.S. Department of Defense to support its Blast Exposure Monitoring program.
SOCCER
- Jacksonville attorney Chris Campione is now the majority principal owner and managing director of the Jacksonville Armada Football Club. The team was sold by former owner Robert Palmer.
BANKING
- Mike Phillips is TD Bank’s new North Florida Commercial Market President. He has worked with TD Bank since 2010.
NONPROFITS
- Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County has expanded its territory to include Levy County and is now known as Habitat for Humanity for the Nature Coast.
MARINELAND
- Marineland Dolphin Adventure of St. Augustine will remain open after its $7-million sale to #1 Apex Association, a group of local dolphin activists that includes previous park director Felicia Cook. The park was owned previously by the nowbankrupt Dolphin Co. The park first opened in 1938.
CLOSING
- Jacksonville Beach Adventure Landing has permanently closed after 30 years. Adventure Landing still has a location in St. Augustine as well as locations in New York, North Carolina and Texas. The Jacksonville Beach location will be replaced by apartments and retail space.
Leading Jax U
Jacksonville University president Tim Cost will become the school’s chancellor in July. He has been at the helm of the school since early 2013. Lisa Sutherland, executive director of the Cost Honors College at JU, will become interim president at that time. Cost shared some reflections with FLORIDA TREND.
Best memories: “I’ve found the greatest joy in being able to contribute, in some way, to young people from all around the world who’ve decided to come here to achieve what they believe is their vision of success.”
Hobbies: “Family is easily my greatest hobby. Stephanie, my wife of 42 years, and I are the proud parents of two children, Melanie and Drew. I also enjoy business, investing, travel and golf.”
Best professional advice: “It’s three durable pieces of advice that fit together. First, always assume positive intent. Second, there’s no limit to what you can achieve if you don’t care who gets the credit. Third, as you develop your leadership style over the years, you’ll learn as much from those you don’t want to emulate as from those you do. These have served me well.”