Frank V. Sacco (1947-2024)

Frank V. Sacco, FACHE, a visionary healthcare leader and the former president and CEO of Memorial Healthcare System, has died. He was 77 years old.

Mr. Sacco led Memorial for 29 years and oversaw the Hollywood-based organization's growth from a single hospital to one of the largest public healthcare systems in South Florida. His relentless focus on safety, quality, and the highest quality patient-centered care was the foundation on which the modern-day Memorial was built. Those values and the internal culture he cultivated and instilled remain in place to this day, nearly a decade after his retirement.

"Frank Sacco's influence and accomplishments can't be overstated, and I'm proud to carry his legacy forward in the role where he had his greatest impact," said Memorial Healthcare System president and CEO K. Scott Wester. "His loss is felt by all those in our Memorial family and throughout the healthcare industry."

Mr. Sacco's career at MHS spanned 41 years, which included several management and administrative roles prior to being named CEO in 1987. During his time at the helm, five hospitals were added, including Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, to the original Memorial Hospital (now Memorial Regional Hospital), and a nursing home, and primary and urgent care centers were established. At the time of his retirement in 2016, Memorial employed more than 11,000 and had grown its annual net revenue from $115 million to nearly $2 billion.

"I leave with the joy of knowing that I have used every fiber in my DNA to make Memorial Healthcare System successful now and well into the future," Mr. Sacco said at the time.

Mr. Sacco passed at home in Ormond Beach with family by his side, after a battle with cancer.

"Frank was not just a leader, but an extraordinary mentor, friend, and a champion for all those that entrust us with their care," said Leah A. Carpenter, Memorial's executive vice president & chief operating officer. "He was a man of great integrity, courage, humility, and vision. If we can continue to be steadfast in the values and foundation he laid, while continuing to put the patient at the forefront of everything we do as providers, then his legacy will be fulfilled."

Memorial was the first healthcare system in Florida to take over the delivery of primary care for the uninsured. Other accomplishments during Mr. Sacco's tenure included:

• The growth of clinical service lines, including cardiology, cancer, and organ transplant for adults and children, which ensured South Floridians had access to complex care close to home.
• The creation of the Memorial Health Network (MHN), a physician-led, professionally managed organization that today operates a clinically integrated network uniting more than 3,000 providers and improving care delivery for nearly 300,000 patients.
• Earning consistently superior rankings from Standard and Poor's and Moody's that solidified Memorial's status as one of the nation's most financially viable, safety net healthcare systems.

Dr. Stanley Marks, former chief medical officer at Memorial and a longtime colleague and friend, described Mr. Sacco as a master strategist.

"It's hard to imagine Memorial without Frank. His commitment to patients, clinical quality and safety transformed healthcare at Memorial and throughout South Florida. Some hospitals tried to emulate his vision, others tried to compete, but most realized that Memorial set a new standard for healthcare. Frank is responsible for that."

Prior to his career at Memorial, Mr. Sacco served as a commissioned officer in the Army Medical Service Corps, after which he earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Miami and a master's degree in healthcare management from Florida International University. He was a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a volunteer leader of numerous industry and community organizations.

In 2011, the South Broward Hospital District Board of Commissioners honored Mr. Sacco's leadership and vision by naming the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital campus for him. The previous year, Hollywood, FL city commissioners proclaimed June 16th "Frank Sacco Day." The list of the many other awards and accolades he earned during an illustrious career is lengthy and significant.

In addition to a loving family, Mr. Sacco leaves behind a culture of care and compassion that remains the hallmark of the Memorial Healthcare System.

A Celebration of Life that is open to the public will be held Friday, September 6, at 9 am at The Parker in Fort Lauderdale. To honor Mr. Sacco with a donation to his preferred charity, visit the Memorial and Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundations. Select "Frank V. Sacco Fund" in the 'Designation' dropdown box after clicking on 'Donate.'

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