Orlando (Fla.) Health, which is in the midst of a rapid financial recovery, has found its next permanent leader.
The not-for-profit health system said Tuesday that David Strong, 50, has been named president and CEO. Since 2004, Strong has served as president of Rex Healthcare, Raleigh, N.C., a hospital system affiliated with UNC Health Care. He will join Orlando Health in April.
Orlando Health closed its fiscal 2014 on Sept. 30 with a $127.3 million operating surplus on more than $2.1 billion of revenue—good for a 6% margin. That was a far cry from fiscal 2013, when the system lost $9.5 million from operations and recorded $1.9 billion of revenue.
The turnaround was due partially to Orlando Health's strategy to invest in physicians. Its clinical partnership with University of Florida Health in Gainesville, for example, boosted oncology and neurosurgery volumes. Orlando Health also started recording gains from its acquisition of a 90-doctor medical group and laid off several workers.
Because Orlando Health was able to rebound so quickly, officials said last summer that they would not pursue a merger or affiliate with another health system. It worked with Kaufman Hall to evaluate its option and considered more than eight potential partners.
Strong will take over for Dr. Jamal Hakim, a practicing anesthesiologist who has served as Orlando Health's CEO since September 2013. Hakim stepped in after the board fired Sherrie Sitarik.
“I look forward to working closely with physicians, team members and the board to ensure Orlando Health's continued success,” Strong said in a statement. “We are excited about engaging in the central Florida community.”
Follow Bob Herman on Twitter: @MHbherman
