Zeff Ross, outgoing Regent of ACHE and administrator for Memorial Hospital West of Pembroke Pines, and Regginald Jordan – Associate Administrator of Memorial Regional Hospital, Hollywood – were recently honored by the South Florida Healthcare Executive Forum (SFHEF). Ross received recognition for his term as Regent for the ACHE of Southern Florida, while Jordan was recognized with the ACHE Southern Florida Early Healthcare Careerist Award. He is also an incoming Regent. In addition, Lee S. Huntley, CEO of Baptist Hospital of Miami, received the ACHE Southern Florida Senior Healthcare Executive Award.

Ross has been a member of the Council of Regents, the legislative body of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). As regent for southern Florida, Ross served as the vital link between ACHE and its affiliates by approving governance and membership regulations – as well as promoting ACHE programs, services and activities within their respective areas.

He is the administrator of Memorial Hospital West and responsible for the day-to-day operations. He also oversaw the development of Memorial Hospital Miramar, Memorial’s newest facility, located in Broward County.

Under Ross’ navigation, Memorial Hospital West and its employees have received numerous awards, including Best Run Hospital and Best Rehabilitation Services from Florida Medical Business and the Best Hospital for Maternity in Broward County by South Florida Parenting Magazine. He was also named Best Administrator by the South Florida Business Journal for 2001 and, most recently, was awarded Best Administrator by Florida Medical Business. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, Magna Cum Laude, from the City University of New York, Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, New York and a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration from the City University of New York, Bernard M. Baruch College/Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, New York.

Regginald Jordan, incoming regent, has also had a distinguished career at Memorial and currently serves as Associate Administrator at Memorial Regional Hospital – a 694 bed facility. He has held positions at Memorial Hospital West, Miami Jewish Home and Hospital for the Aged and the South Florida Hospital and Healthcare Association.

At Memorial Regional, he is responsible for professional and support services including the Cancer Institute, Diagnostic Imaging, Sickle Cell Day Hospital and a variety of other services and programs. He also manages the $300 million campus master plan through facility planning and construction services. Jordan is a graduate of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Healthcare Management, Magna Cum Laude – as well as earning a Master’s Degree in Health Services Administration (also Magna Cum Laude) from Florida International University, Miami. He assumes his role as Regent in March and was also honored at the FHA/ACHE Annual Dinner in Orlando in November.

Lee I. Huntley has been CEO at Baptist Hospital of Miami since 1998, after serving as Executive Vice President and COO since 1993. He began his career with Baptist in 1978 as an Administrative Resident.

Huntley holds a Master’s Degree in Health Services Administration from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He is a Fellow in the American College of Health Care Executives and a member of the Healthcare CEO Roundtable – a national “think tank” for best practices. In addition to serving as a board member of the South Florida Hospital and Health Care Association, he is also a member of the AHA Region 4 Advisory Board, Big Brothers/Big Sister of Miami, and is a representative to Governor Bush’s Florida Center for Nursing.

The South Florida Healthcare Executive Forum (SFHEF), founded in 1972, is an affiliate of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and was organized to provide healthcare executives with opportunities for professional development through educational and social activities.

In His Own Words: Zeff Ross Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York Community: Cooper City Family: Vicki, my loving wife of 27 years, two sons (Arlen, a 3rd Year Seminole & Selden (a second year “Gator”); and Eriel, my daughter—(OK –my Princess who is in the 11th Grade at Cooper City High School) Community Involvement: Board of Regents, Florida Hospital Association Regent, SFACHE Board of Directors, ARMDI (American Red Magen David for Israel) United Way of Broward County, Campaign Cabinet Member Board Member, Pembroke Pines Police Athletic League Trustee & Past President, Miramar/Pembroke Pines Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board Member, Barry University School of Natural & Health Sciences Member, Florida International University Stemple School of Public Health, External Advisory Committee What was the most significant aspect of your three-year term as Regent? Being a charge agent for ACHE with respect to the dues structure. Specifically, being able to charge the lower “student” rate to a member who may be a full-time healthcare worker and only a part-time student What is your professional philosophy regarding healthcare administration? It is very simple – Do what is right for the patient Having been named Best Administrator several times, who was your mentor and how do you mentor others? There were a number of mentors in my career from whom I learned what to do and what not to do. It is certainly better learning from their successes and failures than re-inventing the wheel! I mentor others by coaching, teaching, explaining, showing and letting them make mistakes. Finally, what makes you smile at the end of a long day? Knowing that I made a difference to a patient, an employee, a colleague and certainly to my family.