Daniel Snyder, the new CEO of the University of Miami Hospital (UMH), is excited about his opportunity to help the 560-bed hospital achieve its vision of becoming the best university teaching hospital in the world.With 30 years of healthcare experience, Snyder is recognized internationally for his distinctive skills in leading change and inspiring individual and organizational performance.
“I have a wonderful opportunity to focus on the four elements of our new mission – exceptional patient care, ground-breaking research, renowned teaching and meaningful community service,” he said. “We are the 10th statutory teaching hospital in Florida and the only university-owned teaching hospital. We will become the best in the world by having the best people who are completely engaged in our mission. As the flagship hospital of the University of Miami Health System (UHealth), we will be in a growth mode as we expand our services and capacity.”
Snyder’s previous experience with four of the world’s exceptional health systems uniquely qualifies him for his new position as CEO of UMH, located on the University of Miami Health System/Miller School of Medicine campus near downtown Miami.
As a career naval officer, Snyder served in a number of healthcare and leadership roles around the world. His Pentagon-based duties involved leadership strategic planning, programming and budgeting and operations for integrated healthcare systems.
After retiring from the Navy in 2001, he joined Intermountain Health Care (IHC) in Salt Lake City, where he served as CEO of IHC’s flagship hospital and trauma center, and also served as CEO for IHC’s Salt Lake Valley operations. In 2004, he joined Banner Health’s Western Region, where he led a team of 10,000 professionals serving in 12 hospitals across the West. In 2006, he began service as the group executive vice president and CEO of Parkway Holdings Limited, Asia’s premier private value-based integrated healthcare company.
At IHC, Banner Health and Parkway Health, Snyder accumulated expertise in complex strategic planning, building new facilities and improving quality and patient satisfaction.
He later served as president and CEO of Asia Pacific Health Partners, Inc. in the U.S. and managing director of the company in Singapore.
Snyder noted that the University of Miami Health System is on its way toward a transformation into a truly integrated health system. “We are working on the enhanced alignment and integration for the UMH, the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Anne Bates Leach Eye Hospital and the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute,” he said. “We will integrate all of our clinical care organizations under a new service line strategy that will help achieve new levels of coordination and teamwork. We have three very good hospitals, and we are looking at new ways to integrate and gain additional synergies as we move forward.”
Reflecting on both his east and west healthcare background, Snyder noted several contrasts between the Asian and U.S. healthcare systems. “Throughout most of Asia, healthcare is delivered through public or private institutions,” he said. “Not-for-profit hospitals such as UMH are relatively unknown in Asia.”
He finds it “remarkable” that Singapore spends less than four percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on healthcare, contrasted with the U.S. expenditure of 18 percent – with outcomes far superior to the U.S. In Asia, he notes that health dilemmas of the U.S., such as obesity and other lifestyle-related diseases, are not nearly as prevalent. “There is a great deal of personal responsibility for one’s health in Asia,” he said.
One of the biggest lessons he learned about Asian healthcare is the absolute necessity to respect diversity, culture, race and ethnicity. “Singapore does a good job of respecting differences and celebrating diversity, he said. “We at UMH really will embrace this and do a good job with our work force.”
Snyder points to the fact that UMH employees and management recently worked together to negotiate and approve an innovative new union contract that invests in quality patient care and a brighter future for workers at UMH. The contract, which includes a first-ever education fund for employees, was ratified by UMH workers who are members of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.
“The contract is a game changer,” said Snyder. “It creates a structure that not only enhances the hospital services that benefit patients, but establishes a framework for the future by working with our employees.”
Snyder, a Rochester, NY, native who enjoys scuba diving and sailing, says he and his wife, Hannah, an architect, are delighted to be in Miami. “We bought a house in Coconut Grove, and have loved the six months we’ve been here.”
