Broward Health CEO Beverly Capasso Resigns Abruptly

Five health system leaders, including Capasso, have been indicted over their handling of a prior interim CEO's dismissal. But that had nothing to do with her resignation, a spokesperson said.

The top executive for Broward Health, based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, tendered her resignation suddenly on Wednesday.

The health system's initial announcement gave no reason for President and CEO Beverly Capasso's departure, but a system spokesperson told HealthLeaders that Capasso had cited personal and education aspirations as motivating her decision.

"I am ready to move on to the next chapters of my life," Capasso said, according to the spokesperson. "I am completing my doctorate of nursing and looking forward to spending more time with my family."

Capasso and four other Broward Health leaders—General Counsel Lynn Barrett, board Chairman Rocky Rodriguez, and board members Christopher Ure and Linda Robison—face misdemeanor charges for allegedly mishandling the dismissal of former interim CEO Pauline Grant in 2016 in violation of Florida's Sunshine Law, which requires public entities to conduct their business publicly. Capasso was a board member when Grant was fired over kickback allegations in late 2016, as the Sun Sentinel reported. All have pleaded not guilty.

Capasso's resignation is unrelated, however, to the pending criminal case, the Broward Health spokesperson said.

The date on which Capasso's resignation will be effective has not yet been set, but the system plans to begin a search to replace her.* Capasso will assist during the transition, according to a statement that lauded the hiring of multiple executive posts, about $30 million in expense reductions, and more than $117 million in capital improvement projects on Capasso's watch.

"We can all be proud of the progress made over the last two years, and I am confident that the achievements will continue," Capasso in the statement. "It was my great honor to serve and lead a remarkable team of caring health professionals."

Capasso, who had just been granted her post permanently in February after serving on an interim basis since May 2017, was the organization's fourth CEO in less than three years, as South Florida Business Journal's Brian Bandell reported. The system's leadership has been in turmoil since CEO Dr. Nabil El Sanadi killed himself in January 2016.

Members of the Broward Health board, which is appointed by Florida Gov. Rick Scott, told the Sun Sentinel's David Fleshler that they believe internal turmoil among the leadership team likely led to Capasso's departure.

"I was extremely disappointed to hear the news that Ms. Capasso found the situation untenable," Ure told the Sentinel. "I had tremendous confidence Ms. Capasso would bring stability to the organization. Ms. Capasso brought in a highly competent team who should be given every opportunity to stabilize Broward Health."

*Editor's note: A previous version of this story said Broward Health "will immediately begin a nationwide search to replace her," based on information provided in a press release. Since the board has not yet voted on the matter, that phrase has been updated to say the system "plans to begin a search to replace her," based on information provided Thursday by a Broward Health spokesperson.