Broward Health President & CEO Shane Strum spoke at a press conference announcing the Alzheimer’s clinical trial

In 2022, Broward Health celebrated milestones, received numerous awards and recognition, and advanced initiatives to meet the future needs of the community. From welcoming new leaders to launching a clinical trial and introducing new treatment options, it was a year of celebration, innovation and growth.

Executive Leadership

The system strengthened its leadership team with key updates in 2022, including:

  • Alan Whaley, Ph.D., joined as the system’s chief operating officer.
  • Joshua Lenchus, D.O., was named Broward Health’s chief medical officer after serving as interim chief medical officer for one year.
  • James Roach, D.O., rejoined as chief of emergency medicine for the system and chief medical officer of Broward Health Medical Center.
  • Matthew Garner was named CEO of Broward Health North.
  • Jennifer Connelly-Rosati was hired as chief financial officer of Broward Health Medical Center.
  • Jennifer Smith was promoted to vice president of corporate communications and marketing from associate vice president of the communications and marketing division.

“We have been incredibly fortunate to attract and retain some of the brightest minds in the healthcare industry as we strive to deliver world-class care for our community, and to provide our physicians and employees with the leadership and environment they need to thrive,” said Shane Strum, Broward Health’s President & CEO.

Celebrations and Commemorations

Broward Health had a lot to celebrate this year. In the spring, Broward Health Coral Springs celebrated its 35th anniversary by hosting a reunion for those whose lives have been saved at the hospital. At the event, leadership launched the expansion of the cardiac lab, which will be configured as a biplane catheterization lab, a specialized suite where transesophageal echocardiography can be performed.

Over the summer, the Broward Health Foundation raised more than $900,000 at its ninth annual Broward Health Ball presented by DPR Construction, the most it has ever raised at this event. And Broward HealthPoint, a Broward Health affiliate formerly known as Community Health Services that provides comprehensive health services to uninsured and underinsured community members, announced a new name and launched a new mobile health unit to drive healthcare directly to those who can experience the greatest challenges accessing care.

In October, Broward Health Imperial Point kicked off its 50th anniversary with a reception where the American Hospital Association gave a proclamation recognizing the hospital’s service. In addition, a $5.5 million gift to the Broward Health Foundation was commemorated. The gift will be used to establish the Jacqueline J. Bernstein & Marvin H. Weiner Imaging Center and to purchase cutting-edge imaging technology. Bernstein and Weiner made the donation after receiving exceptional care at Broward Health Imperial Point.

Innovative Care

Finding new treatment options for our patients is at the heart of Broward Health’s vision of providing world-class healthcare. In partnership with University of Florida Health and Insightec, Broward Health launched a clinical trial that aims to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s through focused ultrasound. Instead of pharmaceuticals, the non-invasive technique uses MRI-guided focused ultrasound to temporarily create an opening in the blood-brain barrier, allowing plaque to clear from the brain. The hope is this procedure could improve Alzheimer’s patients’ behavioral and cognition measurements, leading to an enhanced quality of life.

Innovative procedures introduced in 2022 include a saliva gland transfer surgery Ryan H. Sobel, M.D., began offering at Broward Health Medical Center, so throat cancer survivors don’t have to sacrifice the ability to swallow and taste. Only a handful of surgeons across the country are skilled at this intricate surgery. And Broward Health’s first Transcarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR) procedures to treat carotid artery disease and prevent future strokes were performed.

Awards and Recognitions

Broward Health received numerous awards and high grades for several specialties and procedures, including:

  • Broward Health hospitals earned 12 high-performing designations from U.S. News & World Report
  • Three Broward Health hospitals received American Heart Association’s Get With the Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus Awards
  • Broward Health Coral Springs was voted the Best Hospital, Best Emergency Room and Best Woman’s Hospital by the readers of Our City magazine and the hospital’s Maternity Place was chosen as the Favorite Maternity Hospital in Broward County by readers of South Florida Family Life magazine.
  • Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center (CDTC) was one of only five programs nationwide to receive the American Hospital Association’s Dick Davidson NOVA Award for its hospital-led collaborative efforts to improve community health. CDTC was also awarded a Sapphire Award from the Florida Blue Foundation.