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Board Unanimously Votes for DeSantis COS as New Broward Health CEO

Analysis  |  By Melanie Blackman  
   February 09, 2021

Shane Strum, who has served as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' chief of staff, is slated to lead the health system beginning in March, pending agreement of terms.

Broward Health announced Monday that the North Broward Hospital District Board of Commissioners voted to name Shane Strum as the health system’s next president and CEO.

Strum, who has served as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' chief of staff, was unanimously voted by the board to head the Fort Lauderdale-based health system, replacing Gino Santorio following his resignation in November 2020.

Santorio served as Broward Health's COO beginning in 2017 before being elevated to CEO in 2018, becoming the health system's fifth CEO in three years, following abrupt resignations and C-suite turmoil. He resigned late last year to join Mount Sinai Medical Center of Greater Miami as CEO.

Among the candidates who also interviewed for the role were Dr. Michael Hochberg, president and chief medical officer for the Acclaim Physician Group, and Joseph Mullany, past president of Vassar Brothers Medical Center.

"The Board has been focused on finding a leader who can build upon the momentum Broward Health has gained in the past two years. We were pleased to interview such an exceptional group of candidates today," Nancy Gregoire, chair of the North Broward Hospital District Board of Commissioners, said in a press release. "As we look to the future, we know the road ahead will require bold vision and the ability to form collaborative relationships with industry and community partners. We believe Mr. Strum can successfully lead our health system forward."

Strum has almost 30 years of experience in public service, healthcare, and higher education. Prior to working for the state government, Strum served as senior vice president of Memorial Healthcare System in Hollywood, Florida.

He also served on the South Broward Hospital District Board, where he served as chairman for two terms. Additionally, Strum served as vice chancellor of Keiser University and director of corporate and government relations at Nova Southeastern University in Broward County, Florida.

Following negotiations and agreements of terms, the board will announce on February 24 if Strum will become president and CEO starting in March.

Melanie Blackman is a contributing editor for strategy, marketing, and human resources at HealthLeaders, an HCPro brand.

Photo credit: Pompano Beach, Florida - March 16, 2020: Broward Health Medical Center North in Pompano Beach, Florida, United States. Broward Health: Hospitals, Urgent Care Center, Outpatient Clinics. / Editorial credit: YES Market Media / Shutterstock.com


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