Joining the Ranks

From cardiology to HIV treatment, and from oncology to orthopedics, Broward Health, one of the nation’s largest public health care systems, continues to expand the Broward Health Physician Group, a network of more than 200 employed physicians. 

“With the addition of these highly regarded medical experts, Broward Health has further augmented the high-quality care it provides to the South Florida community,” says physician Andrew Ta, executive vice president and chief medical officer of Broward Health. “We are thrilled to welcome these professionals, some of whom lead clinical trials, to our family.”

The announcement of more than a dozen key hires comes on the heels of a major departure at the top: Gino Santorio, president and CEO at Broward Health, is stepping down after a successful two-year tenure to join Mount Sinai Medical Center of Greater Miami, the largest independent nonprofit teaching hospital in South Florida. In February, he will succeed Steven Sonenreich, who is leaving the position after 19 years but will remain at Mount Sinai in a consultative capacity.

Santorio widely was credited with providing stability and direction to Broward Health at a fraught time in its history, and Santorio nods to the fact that he is leaving the hospital system in a strong place. “Broward Health is well positioned with experienced leaders and dedicated caregivers who will continue the success of the system,” he says. “I will forever be in awe of the passion displayed by the Broward Health team and applaud the system’s achievements as we all champion the health of the South Florida community.”

In his resignation letter, Santorio wrote: “Against an arduous backdrop of challenges inclusive of a global pandemic, a corporate integrity agreement and historical organizational instability, we have prevailed and remain poised for continued success.”

Santorio explained that he wanted to be closer to family in Miami-Dade, while North Broward Hospital District Commissioner Ray Berry conceded that compensation likely played a role: “A public health system can never pay what a private system can. We knew he would eventually leave.” Berry has suggested that a nationwide search to replace Santorio is likely.

Whoever steps into Santorio’s shoes would be assuming the leadership of a major health system that has been providing service for more than 80 years. The Broward Health system includes the statutory teaching hospital Broward Health Medical Center, Broward Health North, Broward Health Imperial Point, Broward Health Coral Springs, Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital, Broward Health Weston, Broward Health Community Health Services, Broward Health Physician Group, Broward Health Urgent Care, Broward Health International and Broward Health Foundation. 

The Broward Health Physician Group, which has treated more than 230,000 patients in the last fiscal year, boasts more than 1,600 affiliated community physicians. Now it has 19 more pairs of healing hands.

Pictured: The 250-bed Broward Health Coral Springs, part of the Broward Health system

NEW FACES

This year Broward Health Physician Group welcomed the following physicians: 

Aza Abdalla, Broward Health International 

Mohamed Behairy, cardiology

Michael Chizner, cardiology 

David Droller, infectious diseases

Nemer Dabage Forzoli, internal medicine

Jason Gould, orthopedic trauma 

Kenneth Jeffers, pediatric orthopedic 

Scott Jordan, gynecology oncology

Emily Keener, orthopedic trauma

Nonglin Mel, family practice; HIV specialist 

William Neway, orthopedic spine 

Mohamed Osman, interventional cardiology

Janina Rojas, pediatrics

Yordanka Reyna, cardiology; heart failure specialist

Joshua Shaw, general and transplant surgery

Brian Slomovitz, gynecology oncology

Stephen Swirsky, orthopedic; sports medicine

Ricardo Vicuna, interventional cardiology

Pilar Ortegon-Zambrano, endocrinology