Broward Health sees brighter future after firing chief lawyer
The board of Broward Health took steps Wednesday to reorganize upper management and take on a permanent chief executive, amid a mood of optimism that the public hospital system may have moved past its recent turmoil.
Medical directors of the system’s hospitals reported improved morale. Administrators reported stronger finances, and the meeting proceeded without the strife and tension that had marked so many board meetings.
“The general mood of the medical staff has been one of positivity,” said Dr. Michael Morrison, chief of staff of Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale. “We still have our challenges, but we feel as if we’re moving in the right direction and that these challenges can be met, and we will succeed.”
It was the first full board meeting since the board last month fired general counsel Lynn Barrett, whom some members and physicians blamed for much of the recent turmoil in the hospital system. Board member Steven Wellins, who had voted against firing her, has since resigned.
The board moved to consider making acting CEO Gino Santorio permanent chief of the fivehospital system, which serves the northern two-thirds of Broward County.
Santorio, who won high marks from physicians, staff and board members during his time as the system’s executive vice president, had been named acting CEO after the recent resignation of Beverly Capasso.
“We have incredible talent here,” Santorio told the board. “And we also have an incredible need for stability.”
If he were given the job permanently, it could put an end to the parade of acting and interim CEOs that have passed through headquarters in the nearly three years since the suicide of CEO Dr. Nabil El Sanadi.
Giving him the job would also spare Broward Health the need to drag its tarnished brand through another national CEO search, which last time produced results so disappointing that the board
threw out all the choices.
Board member Ray Berry proposed that the board consider Santorio, former senior vice president and chief executive officer for Jackson North Medical Center, for the job at its December meeting.
“I’m glad things are moving forward the way they are,” Berry said. “I like where they’re going.”
Andrew Klein, chairman of the Broward Health board, said he was comfortable with putting that item on the agenda and said the hospital system appeared to be showing signs of improvement.
Several physicians who had left the system, he said, are now inquiring about returning.
“I think we’re really moving forward in the right direction,” he said. “There’s a lot of positivity and optimism that I’m felling both here and more broadly in the community, in the physician community and the staff, and it’s very encouraging to see.”
The system, which is partially supported by property taxes, faces many challenges. It continues to operate under close federal oversight, under an agreement made to settle charges of operating an illegal payment system for physicians. Five current or former top officials are under indictment on charges of violating the state’s open-meetings law. The turmoil at the top took a toll on its bond rating. And it’s unclear whether incoming Gov. Ron Desantis, who has the power to appoint board members, will seek changes.
But Klein said with the turmoil over the general counsel’s performance now in the past, he was optimistic over the system’s future.
“It’s great to hear about the progress that’s being made and the positive attitude,” he said. “We’re certainly on the right path and going to continue down that same road.”