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Let’s Connect: SFHEF Spotlight

Three Years In, Florida Medical Center COO

Reflects on Hospital’s Achievements and Future South Florida's
Monthly
BY DANIEL CASCIATO and long-term goals for Garner and his

team at FMC. Healthcare Newspaper

It should come as no surprise to those “A few of our current short-term focuses PO Box 812708
who know Matthew Garner that he would are responding in a strategic way to ensure Boca Raton, FL 33481-2708
end up in the healthcare field. Growing up we stay competitive in light of the recent Phone: (561) 368-6950
with two parents working in healthcare repeal of portions of the Certificate of
exposed Garner to the field at a young age. Need (CON) regulations in Florida, deter-
His mother was a Rehab Director and his mining how we can create new access Website:
father was a social worker at a number of points to care in underserved markets and www.southfloridahospitalnews.com

long-term care facilities. working toward creating a more efficient
“We have a family friend that was the means of caring for our patients while also CHARLES FELIX
CEO of a hospital in my hometown and, sustaining and improving the quality of CAROL FELIX
after discussing his role, I felt that health- the care provided,” says Garner. We focus Publishers
care administration was a natural fit that on these short-term goals daily because
would allow me to have a positive impact they ultimately drive our long-term strate- NANCY LAMMIE
on people’s lives without providing direct Matthew Garner gies.” Editor
patient care,” says Garner, Chief Operating According to Garner, the healthcare
Officer for Florida Medical Center (FMC), we are taking the right course of action,” market in South Florida is extremely com- JUDY GRAMM
part of the Tenet Healthcare System. he says. petitive and the change in CON regula- Editorial Manager & Webmaster
“Hospital operations specifically is a pas- When asked what skills are essential for tions eliminates some of the barriers
sion of mine because of the fast-paced a health system COO in today's healthcare healthcare providers have historically JMC GRAPHICS
nature, the role I play in shaping the cul- climate, beyond traditional financial and faced when determining their strategies for Art/Production
ture in the hospital and the opportunity to business acumen, Garner rattles off three long-term viability in the market, so con- lammienancy@aol.com
interact with the bedside caregivers and skills. tinuing to ask the hard questions and 412-877-5321
the physicians who provide quality care “Interpersonal skills, time-management developing strategies to address them is
for our patients.” and a desire to continue learning and more important than ever. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Garner looks at hospitals as small, self- developing are three essential skills that From a long-term perspective, FMC is Daniel Casciato
contained cities, and in his role, he is able come to mind,” he says. “Interpersonal ultimately trying to position itself to be a Barbara Fallon
to work with all the departments that ulti- skills are important because you need to provider of choice in the market, so focus- Vanessa Orr
mately contribute to providing high-quali- build relationships to accomplish your ing on developing new and improving the Lois Thomson

ty care. Coordinating and ultimately lead- goals and you must be able to clearly and offerings of existing service lines to meet
ing the day-to-day operations is extremely concisely communicate with people at all the needs of the population it serves is of
gratifying, he notes, and he relishes the levels in the organization to ensure align- utmost importance, especially since it is
opportunities he has been given thus far in ment and create a transparent culture.” catering to a patient base that is more edu- LOOK FOR OUR
the field. Time-management is important because cated about their healthcare choices than NEXT ISSUE
"I honestly cannot imagine doing any- there are a number of things to do previous generations.
thing else,” he says. throughout the day, so you must be able to “We anticipate an increasing shift to the IN OCTOBER
One of the most important lessons that triage these tasks and determine a plan to outpatient care settings for lower acuity TO REACH US
Garner has learned in his career to date is address the most pressing tasks first, he care,” says Garner.
how important it is to interact directly says. “Being a lifelong learner is important The biggest challenge facing FMC and FOR
with patients. because healthcare is an increasingly com- Tenet today, says Garner, is adjusting to the ADVERTISING
“Patients and families in the hospital are plex field, so you have to stay up-to-date changing healthcare landscape and strate- OR EDITORIAL
dealing with great uncertainty and anxiety, regarding current events, what is going on gically implementing plans that will mini-
so being empathetic and compassionate in the communities you serve and changes mize the impact of these changes on its Call (561) 368-6950
with everyone you encounter is extremely in the regulatory landscape.” operations. or e-mail
important,” he says. “Second, managing Knowledge is essential to plan for the "The repeal of portions of the CON reg- carol@southfloridahospitalnews.com
your day-to-day responsibilities is impor- short and long-term, and if you are not up ulations in Florida has eliminated some of
tant, but you can never be too busy to get to speed regarding changes that may affect the barriers to entry in certain segments of
out in the hospital and interact with the operating or competitive landscape, healthcare and there is still some uncer-
patients, families, employees and physi- Garner says that you put yourself and your tainty about how everything will ultimate- SUBSCRIPTIONS

cians. Being visible and available is one of organization at a disadvantage. ly shake out,” he says. “Taking the time to
the easiest things to do and it makes an As he reflects on his last three years as understand the potential impact of the One Year $40
impact with everyone around you." COO at FMC, Garner says that his team changes and determine how the market Two Years $60
Third, he adds, is to always focus on has accomplished a number of things. will respond is a daily focus for us as we
what is right for the patient and give your "We’ve made significant capital invest- plan for the future.” Three Years $75
team the support they need to do their job ments in the facility over the past three Garner feels fortunate for having been
to the best of their abilities. years, such as renovations of a number of afforded great opportunities along the way To subscribe,
“If you take the time to listen to the areas to improve functionality and aesthet- while with Tenet and FMC. A member of
needs of your patients and staff, put a plan ics, built out a new EP lab to support our the American College of Healthcare call (561) 368-6950
in place to address the need or issue raised cardiac service line and acquired a lot of Executives since October 2015, he joined or subscribe online at
and close the loop with them, you build an the specialized equipment needed to pro- the South Florida Healthcare Executive southfloridahospitalnews.com.
ongoing sense of trust and collaboration vide the advanced level of care offered at Forum (SFHEF) in July 2016. ____________
that drives a patient-first culture,” he says. FMC,” he says. “We’ve earned numerous “For anyone looking to get into the field
Lastly, he learned to work hard every accolades, including TJC Certification as a of healthcare administration, I would rec-
day and ask questions. As a younger Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center ommend getting exposure to as many dif- All rights reserved. Reproduction
in whole or part without written
administrator, Garner feels that you need and Core Certification for our Hip and ferent areas of healthcare as possible, align permission prohibited. Copyright © 2019.
to establish a sense of competence with Knee Joint Replacement program, that yourself with like-minded people who can
your counterparts, direct reports and speak to the high quality care we provide. mentor and develop you, understand that
physicians in order to effectively lead in Our team has worked together to achieve you will never know everything, and
his role. He does that by taking any issues so much and I am proud to be part of such always ask questions,” he says. “The busi-
that arise head-on and keeping a can-do a high-performing group of healthcare ness of healthcare is always evolving, but Don’t forget to include
attitude regarding anything that comes his professionals.” the focus on providing quality care for
way. Driving quality outcomes, fostering a patients will always be a constant. As long South Florida Hospital News
“Additionally, you must be self-aware “No Harm” culture, providing access to as you keep the patient at the forefront, & Healthcare Report
regarding your abilities, so I tap into our care when/where needed, and growth are everything else will fall into place.” in your Marketing Plans
subject matter experts on the clinical side some of the overall focuses of Tenet. For more information, visit
when needed and ask questions to ensure Accordingly, these focuses drive both short www.FloridaMedCtr.com. Call Charles at 561-368-6950 for a Media Kit

South Florida Hospital News southfloridahospitalnews.com September 2019 27