FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - Bernardo "Bernie" B. Fernandez Jr., M.D., former chief executive officer of Baptist Health Medical Group and Cleveland Clinic Florida, has been named Broward Health's new Corporate Physician Executive. "I'm thrilled to be joining Broward Health at a time when the health system is experiencing unprecedented opportunity for growth and development," said Dr. Fernandez. I'm hopeful that my experience can build bridges with current and future physicians, further expanding Broward Health’s footprint across the region.
An outstanding healthcare executive with long tenure across the South Florida marketplace, Dr. Fernandez will use his experience as a physician leader to drive strategic growth of the Broward Health Physician Group in collaboration with executive management. He will also provide clinical, technical and management counsel in matters pertaining to quality, business development and the Broward Health Foundation.
Dr. Fernandez's impressive standing within the community and achievements across the healthcare industry will have an immediate impact on Broward Health, said Shane Strum, President & CEO of Broward Health. His extraordinary leadership adds to the exceptional talent, like Aurelio Fernandez and Alan Whaley, that will change the landscape of the healthcare space across South Florida and drive Broward Health's success into the future.
Known for his community outreach, Dr. Fernandez currently sits on the advisory council for the Phil Smith Neuroscience Institute, and was a leader with Florida Atlantic University, helping to establish the voluntary faculty for the Schmidt College of Medicine. In addition, he has held a number of appointments, including currently serving as a member of the Orange Bowl Committee, Miami/Fort Lauderdale YPO Gold Chapter and Broward Workshop. Dr. Fernandez is not only a member of the Dean's Advisory Council, but also a clinical professor and founding voluntary faculty member for the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at Florida International University. He previously served on the President's Commission on White House Fellowships, was chairman of the Florida Board of Medicine, was a board member of The Community Foundation of Broward and the South Florida Hospital & Healthcare Association, as well as the recipient of the Harry Mangurian Jr. Endowed Chair, to name just a few of his accomplishments.
Dr. Fernandez has a B.S. in Biology and received his M.D. from Ponce School of Medicine in Ponce, Puerto Rico. He completed both his residency and fellowship at The Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. He also received his MBA from the University of Miami and a Leadership and Management Certificate for executive development from The Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania.