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SFHEF Spotlight: Let’s Connect:

Aurelio M. Fernandez, III, FACHE SFHEF Spotlight

BY VANESSA ORR percent of those who applied.
The health system has introduced EPIC’s Healthy Planet platform, a
For the past 43 years, Aurelio Fernandez III, FACHE, has population health management platform that compiles patient data,
worked in healthcare in the South Florida area, spending the and technology is enabling advancements in telehealth and virtual
past 12 years with Memorial Healthcare System (MHS), and health, including virtual rounding and iRounds. And a partnership
serving as its president and chief executive officer for the past with 1,500 physicians, including Holy Cross under the Atlantic
three years.The system includes Memorial Regional Hospital, Healthcare Network, has resulted in a shared savings model that puts
Memorial Regional Hospital South, Joe DiMaggio Children’s approximately 150,000 patients under Memorial’s supervision.
Hospital, Memorial Hospital West, Memorial Hospital “Memorial is currently in the process of expanding our pediatric
Miramar, Memorial Hospital Pembroke and Memorial Manor presence in Palm Beach County , and we’re also looking at expanding
nursing home. our kidney transplant program and graduate medical education for
“I’ve worked in hospitals, physician practices, joint ventures our residency programs for physicians and nurses,” said Fernandez.
and more; I’ve done it all,” said Fernandez of his years of expe- He added that MHS has partnered with Moffitt Cancer Center to
rience in the field, adding that he has worked in all three provide bone marrow transplants, something that was not previously
South Florida counties. Aurelio M. Fernandez, III available in South Florida.
During his tenure as Memorial’s CEO, Fernandez has “This partnership brings a huge benefit to South Florida as Moffitt
worked toward accomplishing five major goals. These include MHS becoming the is the only comprehensive cancer program in Florida,” said Fernandez. “Having a
safest healthcare system in the country; enhancing the culture of the organization; pediatric specialty presence in Palm Beach also creates value; there are a lot of pri-
expanding pediatric care to Palm Beach County; becoming the most technologically mary care pediatricians in the area, but there was a need for specialty pediatric care.”
advanced healthcare system in South Florida; and expanding the system’s clinical As a leader, Fernandez understands the importance of networking and keeping in
integrative model. touch with other executives in the field. He joined the South Florida Healthcare
“I’m proud to say that we have met or expanded upon each goal,” Fernandez said. Executive Forum (SFHEF) six years ago to set an example to future generations of
In 2018, five Memorial Healthcare System hospitals were awarded an “A” for healthcare professionals.
patient safety from the Leapfrog Group’s Fall 2018 Hospital Safety Grade, the highest “Our organization values what SFHEF brings to the healthcare profession,” he
grade available. For the last three rating periods, Memorial Regional Hospital, said, adding that most of the CEOs and other executives in the Memorial system
Memorial Regional Hospital South, Memorial Hospital Pembroke and Memorial serve as either members or fellows in the organization. “We believe in leading by
Hospital West have earned an A. Memorial Hospital Miramar has earned A’s consec- example.
utively for all rating periods since 2015. “For me, networking is the most important aspect, but I think that newer folks
Fernandez has also created a corporate culture that attracts those who want to suc- can definitely benefit from the education and events that the organization provides,”
ceed. “Memorial has received 191,000 hits on its website from people looking for he added. “There is a lot of value in helping to educate the younger generation on
roles within the system,” said Fernandez, adding that the organization has hired 1.3 what is necessary . For young up-and-comers, I highly suggest it.”

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4 March 2019 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News