Beverly Capasso, RN, president and CEO of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Broward Health, resigned.
Ms. Capasso assumed the top post at the troubled health system permanently in February, after Broward Health's board of commissioners decided not to hire one of the four finalists it had been considering for the CEO position. She had served as interim president and CEO of Broward from May 2017 to February. Prior to that, she served on the health system's board.
An emailed statement from the health system did not give a reason for Ms. Capasso's decision to step down. It noted that "[Ms. Capasso] stabilized and strengthened leadership by filling numerous executive positions, leading to improved operational efficiencies, reduction of expenses by approximately $30 million and the completion of multiple capital improvements valued at more than $117 million."
When Becker's Hospital Review requested more information regarding her decision to depart, a health system spokesperson furnished the following statement:
"I am ready to move on to the next chapters of my life," said Ms. Capasso. "I am completing my doctorate of nursing and look forward to spending more time with my family."
Controversy has followed Ms. Capasso since she assumed the CEO role at Broward Health. A 2017 Sun Sentinel report stated that she received a master's in healthcare administration from Kennedy-Western University, a diploma mill that shut down in 2009, calling into question her qualifications for the position.
Ms. Capasso is also one of five Broward Health officials indicted in December 2017 for allegedly violating the state's open meetings law by holding private meetings to bring about the termination of the health system's former interim CEO, Pauline Grant. The criminal case is ongoing.
Ms. Capasso was the third executive to lead the health system since January 2016, when then-CEO Nabil El Sanadi, MD, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Kevin Fusco and Ms. Grant have had stints serving as interim CEO of Broward Health between January 2016 and Ms. Capasso's interim appointment in May 2017.
Now, Broward Health will once again begin a search for a new leader. Ms. Capasso will assist the board and leadership team during the transition.