3 min read September 2023 — In an interview with Invest:, Shane Strum, president and CEO of Broward Health, shared the health system’s milestones, including their 85th anniversary and discussed the organization’s technological advancements and its partnership with the University of Florida. Strum emphasizes Broward Health’s dedication to enhancing the patient experience and addressing healthcare challenges.
Looking at the past 12 months, what highlights or milestones would you like to share from Broward Health Systems?
It has been a remarkable year for Broward Health. We take pride in our two trauma centers and more than 50 health centers and practices, providing convenient locations for our patients, and we laid the framework to grow that geographic footprint in Sunrise and soon other locations.
Since January we have been celebrating our 85th anniversary, making Broward Health the oldest continuous healthcare system in the region. From starting out with only 45 beds in 1938, we have grown exponentially and now treat approximately 750,000 patients annually and employ more than 10,000.
One notable event that highlighted our 85 years of service to Broward County was Broward Health Day, where we were recognized by the state, county and City of Fort Lauderdale with proclamations and recognitions. We also had a successful State of the System event held at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, where we shared updates on our progress with more than 600 leaders from across our region.
This past year has been one of reflection, recognizing our significant achievements while celebrating the role we play within the community. But we are already looking well into our future. As only one of 17 Level 1 trauma centers designated by the state, we provide lifesaving care in the direst of circumstances but also have dozens of specialties to ensure our residents have access to exceptional care throughout their life journey. The plans we have for the future will serve to only expand that care for our community.
What technological advancements have been made in the medical field and how do they contribute to patients’ recovery and improve outcomes?
Broward Health is proud to be the first healthcare provider in Florida and fifth in the nation to introduce groundbreaking robotic cardiac care with our new Stereotaxis lab that treats electrophysiology conditions. Additionally in the cardiac space, we expanded our capabilities by opening new cardiac catheterization labs and providing state-of-the-art diagnostics and treatment options for heart-related conditions, to ensure the best possible care.
We were also the first in the county to introduce the new da Vinci single-port robotic surgical system, which represents a significant advancement in surgical technology by enabling minimally invasive procedures through single-port access. This cutting-edge system often leads to a more rapid patient recovery, reduced scarring, and improved outcomes.
Last summer, Broward Health established a partnership with the University of Florida for the latest Alzheimer’s research. Together with Insightec, we are exploring potential treatments for Alzheimer’s by using focused ultrasound to disrupt the blood-brain barrier. It will be very interesting to see how our research, combined with that of other partners across the state, will impact the future dialogue surrounding Alzheimer’s research and treatment.
How is Broward Health working to capitalize on opportunities in the region over the next year?
In terms of innovation and change, we conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment every three years, which stems from county-wide research. This assessment helps us better understand the health care needs of South Florida’s diverse communities to enable Broward Health to position services and address local health needs going unmet.
Our goal is to provide the best care possible by staying attuned to emerging health trends and mitigating health disparities while also offering the latest care. For instance, we offer salivary gland surgery for head and neck cancer patients, preserving the glands and improving speech and swallowing. We are proud to be trained in robotically assisted head and neck surgeries, avoiding invasive procedures like jaw surgery.
We strive to meet patients’ needs throughout their life journey, delivering comprehensive care from birth to end-of-life. Our commitment remains unwavering as we adapt to changing healthcare landscapes and leverage innovation to provide the highest level of care.
What are the key factors driving patient experience in healthcare today and how is Broward Health enhancing the modern patient experience?
Constant evolution is crucial in driving the patient experience. We strive to address health disparities. Outpatient services are increasingly important in our approach, and we consistently aim to provide higher standards of care.
Through collaboration with our workforce, we develop care delivery models to improve outcomes. We emphasize outpatient services for faster and more efficient treatments.
Digitally, we prioritize electronic health records and convenient access to online healthcare information and services for patients. We want the patient journey, including their digital footprint, to be optimal, creating ease and convenience while offering meaningful solutions to patients’ healthcare needs.
What are the main healthcare challenges in Broward County regarding healthcare costs and labor concerns?
The challenges in healthcare are particularly related to costs, labor shortages, and inflation – and certainly not limited to Broward County or the state. However, we are starting to see some stabilization at Broward Health, and patients are returning.
During the pandemic, patients were afraid to come to the hospital and stopped visiting their doctors because they were concerned about being in a room with potentially sick individuals. We reached out to the community and encouraged them to seek medical care. Unfortunately, cancer patients suffered the most, because staying away for years resulted in missed opportunities for early intervention.
With patient volumes returning to pre-pandemic norms and many traveling nurses coming back to practice at Broward Health, we are seeing some improvements to labor concerns. To make Broward Health more attractive to clinicians, we offer competitive wages and benefits to attract the best healthcare professionals. We collaborate with local colleges to provide training opportunities for nurses and medical students. Additionally, we promote career growth within our healthcare system, encouraging employees to obtain new certificates or further their education.
Another factor in the labor market is the age of practicing clinicians. The average age of practicing physicians in Florida is 54 years old, with more physicians over 60 than under 40. This trend is mirrored in the nursing profession.
Broward Health is committed to closing this gap over the next 10 to 15 years. We have a robust graduate medical education program and were the first teaching hospital in Broward County. In fact, this year’s entering class of residents was the largest in our system’s history, demonstrating our commitment to grooming the next generation of physicians. Our goal is to equip these educational programs, ensuring a steady supply of doctors for Broward Health and our community.
What is your outlook for Broward Health and the healthcare landscape in Broward County in the next two to three years?
In 2024, Broward Health will open a new freestanding emergency department (ED) in Sunrise, which will help in addressing the lack of healthcare services in that area. This project is a partnership with Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, marking the first collaboration between the two largest healthcare systems in the county. The freestanding ED will provide exceptional emergency care for adults and children, filling a critical gap in the community.
We also have a partnership with Florida Atlantic University (FAU) focused on academic medicine. This collaboration encompasses education, clinical training, practice health service administration, and research. It opens doors for joint research initiatives, scholarships, community engagement, and fundraising opportunities.
The partnership between FAU and Broward Health brings academic medicine to Broward County, working toward establishing the first Academic Medical Center in the county, a significant milestone in advancing healthcare.
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