The board of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Broward Health took steps to reorganize executive management during its Nov. 28 board meeting — the first meeting since the board voted to fire its chief legal counsel, according to the Sun Sentinel.
During the last board meeting in November, officials voted to fire general counsel Lynn Barrett, who some board and staff members blamed for much of the recent executive turmoil surrounding the five-hospital system.
The board also moved to consider allowing acting CEO Gino Santorio to be the system's permanent chief executive. Board members said Mr. Santorio, who previously served as the system's executive vice president, has won high marks from physicians, staff and board members. He was named interim CEO in October after the system's former chief executive, Beverly Capasso, abruptly resigned earlier that same month.
If Mr. Santorio were named the permanent head of the health system, it would put an end to Broward's stream of acting and interim CEOs throughout the nearly three years since the suicide of former CEO Nabil El Sanadi, MD. Five of the health system's former leaders are also under indictment on charges of violating the state's open meetings law in their efforts to oust former CEO Pauline Grant.
However, since firing the system's chief legal counsel, Broward administrators reported stronger finances, and medical staff note improved morale systemwide.
"The general mood of the medical staff has been one of positivity," said Michael Morrison, MD, chief of staff of Fort Lauderdale-based Broward Health Medical Center. "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."
To access the full report, click here.