Miami-based Nicklaus Children's Health System CEO Narendra Kini, MD, resigned June 28, ending an 11-year tenure, according to the Miami Herald.
Dr. Kini plans to "pursue opportunities in innovation," Mario Murgado, chair of the organization's board of directors, told the Herald.
He became CEO of the pediatric healthcare institution in 2008, when it was called Miami Children’s Hospital and included a network of three outpatient centers with two additional centers under development. Today, Nicklaus Children’s Health System, includes a 309-bed hospital, a network of nearly 25 outpatient centers and clinics, the Nicklaus Children's Hospital Foundation and a managed care plan, among other entities.
During his tenure, the organization expanded its emergency and trauma services and opened a 212,000-square-foot Advanced Pediatric Care Pavilion. Dr. Kini led the move for the second name change in the organization's history. The first name change occured in 1983, and in February 2015, the Miami Children's Hospital became Nicklaus Children's Hospital. In November 2017, Miami Children's Health System rebranded as Nicklaus Children's Health System.
The health system has faced mounting financial problems in the last few months, resulting in the elimination of employee pay raises this year, the reduction of system pension contributions and the layoff of 135 employees.
The health system saw lower revenue in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, compared to the same quarter a year prior and ended Q1 of fiscal 2019 with an operating loss and lower net income.
Dr. Kini's departure is not related to these financial issues, Mr. Murgado told the Herald.
Matthew Love, Nicklaus Children's senior vice president and CFO, will take over as interim CEO.
Editor's note: The article has been updated throughout, with changes to the description of entities within Nicklaus Children's Health System and the timeline of the name changes. The article was updated at 8:57 a.m. on July 2, 2019.