Broward Health CEO stepping down
By Linda Trischitta and David Fleshler
Management turnover at Broward Health that began 15 months ago after the suicide of its chief executive officer continued Thursday with the retirement of interim President and CEO Kevin Fusco.
In a note sent Thursday to colleagues, Fusco noted his 32 year career with the health care system and said he will step down May 26.
"Throughout my career, I have always strived to do what has been best for Broward Health, but the time has come for me to make a decision that is in the best interest of my family and myself," Fusco wrote. "I look forward to what the future holds."
Fusco also wrote that he will assist Broward Health's board as it chooses its next leader.
Fusco is leaving his second stint as interim leader of the 75-year-old system.
He was in that role when Dr. Nabil El Sanadi, 60, underwent triple bypass surgery. The board formally appointed him interim CEO after El Sanadi, still recovering from the operation, fatally shot himself Jan. 23, 2016 in his Lauderdale-by-the-Sea condominium building.
In March, 2016, the board demoted Fusco, he returned to his job as chief operating officer and he was replaced by Pauline Grant, who'd been CEO of the chain's Broward Health North Medical Center.
Grant was fired in December, 2016, and she filed a lawsuit. Fusco returned as interim CEO until he announced his retirement on Thursday.
Broward Health has also been the target of probes by the FBI and the Florida Chief Inspector General. It was fined $70 million by federal authorities over illegal payments to doctors.
Whoever leads the organization next will have a big job: Broward Health is one of the 10 largest public health systems in the country, with five hospitals and outpatient facilities. More than 8,000 employees serve hundreds of thousands of patients annually.
Despite the repeated loss of chief executives, Broward Health board chairman Rocky Rodriguez insisted that the latest loss of a CEO did not represent a crisis for the organization.
"He's retiring," Rodriguez said. "It is what it is. I wish him luck. We're going to move on, as we always do."
Kevin Fusco (Handout)
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