A quick scan of the executive corner office at Memorial Healthcare System can transcend anyone on a trip back in time a period when the lazy days of summer were filled with images of the Yankee Clipper Joe DiMaggio scoring a home run and savoring the taste of victory. Although DiMaggios captivating attributes still linger in the memorabilia hung on the mahogany walls of the corner office, they bear witness of the brilliance behind another man. Hes been called a visionary, a strategist, and for many colleagues who have worked beside him and seen him mold the Healthcare System to the formidable icon it is today, he is respectfully called, Frank Sacco.
This year, Sacco celebrates his 20-year anniversary as the chief executive officer of Memorial Healthcare System. Throughout his years as CEO, he has led the expansion of the Healthcare System from a single flagship hospital, Memorial Regional Hospital, into one of the largest public healthcare systems in the nation. Memorial is a comprehensive healthcare system spanning South Broward and now operates six hospitals, a nursing home and a network of outpatient clinics and resource centers. Under Saccos astute leadership, the healthcare system has achieved its strongest financial position in its 54-year history. This financial position is affirmed by the Systems sustained Aa3/AA- bond rating by Moodys and Standard & Poors, respectively. In 2006, the public, tax-assisted healthcare system, also known as the South Broward Hospital District, made history when it reduced its millage rate to the lowest in 29 years.
“Without a doubt, Frank is one of the most influential leaders in the healthcare industry today,” said Shane Strum, former Board Chairman for the South Broward Hospital District, which oversees Memorial Healthcare System. “Like many others, I am very impressed with Memorials extraordinary growth and efficient business operations, and the way the administrative team navigates through the many complex challenges facing healthcare executives today, and Frank has been at the helm as the captain.”
One of the Healthcare Systems most significant growth spurts happened in 1992, when Memorial went west and pediatric, opening Memorial Hospital West in Pembroke Pines and Joe DiMaggio Childrens Hospital in Hollywood. Back then, Sacco saw strong potential in the states pediatric market, and his vision paid off. Today the Childrens Hospital is considered the leading childrens hospital in Broward and Palm Beach Counties, performing more than 5,000 surgeries a year. In 1995 Memorial Hospital Pembroke in Pembroke Pines was leased and joined the System. Ten years later, Memorial Hospital Miramar opened and made history as the first virtually paperless hospital in South Florida. Shortly after, Memorial Regional Hospital South was acquired.
Growth, however, is not the only goal in Saccos mind, as he has vowed to make Memorial Healthcare System one of the safest healthcare systems in this country.
“A few years back, we initiated a multimillion-dollar clinical information system and have placed a strong emphasis on evidence-based medicine,” Sacco said. “We continuously strive to exceed established state and national quality standards to become a top performer.”
When Frank speaks to his leadership, he reinforces the culture of patient safety, quality of care and the satisfying working environment of teamwork that he has created. He also refers to what lies beyond the hospital walls and connects the hearts of every community member, patient or advocate touched by Memorial. And on that front, Sacco has been a force behind Memorials expansive community outreach initiatives, which were recently recognized nationally with one of the most prestigious awards in healthcare the Foster G. McGaw Award for Community Service, presented by the American Hospital Association.
“It is our mission and drive to serve others that makes Memorial such a valuable community resource,” Sacco said. “We have been dedicated to improving the health, well-being and, most of all, quality of life for the people entrusted to our care.”
