Fernandez to continue as Executive in Residence at Broward Health
October 31, 2024 – Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Hollywood, Fla. – Aurelio M. Fernandez III has agreed to helm Memorial Regional Hospital as the Interim CEO effective immediately. This is a homecoming for Fernandez, who formerly was the President and CEO of Memorial Healthcare System.
As the Interim CEO of Memorial Regional Hospital, Fernandez will be responsible for the hospital’s overall operations. He will place special attention on growth and quality initiatives, as well as exploring new innovations for the hospital and system.
“I am thrilled to be returning to Memorial,” Fernandez said. “Throughout my career I’ve had the opportunity to create what I hope most would consider a lasting healthcare legacy for our community. I’m excited to continue to bring leadership and vision to both Memorial and Broward Health as they explore new ways to collaborate and elevate healthcare across South Florida.”
Since his retirement from Memorial in 2022, Fernandez joined Broward Health at the system’s flagship hospital, Broward Health Medical Center, as the Interim CEO before accepting the Executive in Residence role at Broward Health’s corporate offices, where he has led numerous growth and operational initiatives. He will continue in the Executive in Residence role at Broward Health while leading Memorial Regional Hospital.
“While this is likely not the retirement Aurelio envisioned, we are all proud of Aurelio for using his remarkable industry knowledge to continue to serve our community,” said Shane Strum, President & CEO of Broward Health and Interim CEO of Memorial Healthcare System. “He is an inspirational healthcare executive who brings greatness wherever he leads.”
Fernandez, who was born in Havana, Cuba, and has been a resident of South Florida for the over six decades, spent almost 20 years with Memorial in various roles before ascending to the system’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the Memorial Healthcare System in 2012, and in 2016 he was chosen as President and CEO of Memorial by the South Broward Hospital District Board of Commissioners. He joined Broward Health in 2023.
About Broward Health
Broward Health, founded in 1938 and headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, ranks among the 10 largest public healthcare systems in the United States. Nationally recognized for its focus on high-quality care for the residents of Broward County and beyond, Broward Health boasts five hospitals, two trauma centers, a dynamic academic partnership with Florida Atlantic University, was the county’s first statutory teaching hospital and has an ever-growing graduate medical education program. It includes more than 50 health centers and physician practices covering virtually every healthcare specialty.
Broward Health never stops working toward its mission of Exceptional Care, Extraordinary Compassion and Everyday Excellence. Driven by more than 11,000 talented employees and physicians who deliver care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay, Broward Health is one of the largest employers in Broward County with an operating budget of $1.6 billion, and annually provides almost $225 million of charity and uncompensated care.
For more information about Broward Health, visit BrowardHealth.org.
About Memorial Healthcare System
South Florida-based Memorial Healthcare System is a national leader in quality care and patient, physician, and employee satisfaction. Their community outreach and commitment to deeper caring creating smarter healthcare, prioritizes a patient- and family-centered care approach that has delivered safe, positive outcomes for more than 70 years.
Memorial is committed to healing the body, mind, and spirit of those in its care. For more information, visit mhs.net and connect on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.