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Economic Backbone
Hospital leaders in Florida take on the competition
Construction Boom
Cleveland Clinic is growing throughout south Florida.
Two years ago, the Cleveland Clinic opened a $100-million building in Weston to treat complex cancer cases and neurological disorders. A year later, the clinic announced plans for $302 million worth of expansion projects throughout south Florida.
Construction is now under way on a new hospital tower at the Weston campus. The clinic also is building an outpatient surgery center in Coral Springs and medical offices in Wellington.
Dr. Wael Barsoum, president of Cleveland Clinic Florida, says two factors are driving the expansion: Population growth and demand.”Our hospital is full almost every single day, and sometimes it’s well beyond full.”
In addition to a 150-bed hospital complex in Weston, the clinic has outpatient clinics in Parkland, Palm Beach Gardens and West Palm Beach.
On the Front Lines
As president of Cleveland Clinic Florida since 2014, Barsoum oversees about 3,000 employees in Broward and Palm Beach counties. An orthopedic surgeon, he remains a practicing surgeon and holds about 40 patents related to orthopedic technology.
“Being a health care provider enables you to understand what’s happening from the patient’s perspective,” he says. “My patients will tell me very frankly, ‘I love your hospital, but here’s something you can improve.’ I don’t know if they’d have that opportunity as often if I wasn’t a doctor.”
Year to Year
Rather than sign long-term contracts, doctors at the Cleveland Clinic work year to year. During annual employment reviews, management evaluates each physician. “We have candid conversations about outcomes, quality and how their patients are doing,” says Barsoum. “We make sure we have the right people on our staff.”
