Hospital announces leadership change at CEO level

VENICE — Venice Regional Bayfront Health CEO Bob Moore will transition to a role focused on the forthcoming Venice Regional replacement hospital project, while Karen Fordham will assume the role of CEO.

Moore, named Venice Regional CEO last year, was previously CEO at Munroe Regional Medical Center in Ocala, according to a statement. Fordham has more than 20 years of experience in health care operations. Most recently, she was CEO of St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind.  

Bayfront Health Network CEO Joe Mullany announced the transition. 

“With the state’s recent approval of Venice Regional’s certificate of need (CON) application, we have been considering the best way to support the replacement facility project while continuing to enhance care and improve patient, physician and employee satisfaction,” Mullany says in a statement. “As progress on the replacement hospital accelerates, we’ve decided to dedicate one individual to coordinate all initiatives related to the project." 

Venice Regional received state approval in July to build a 200-plus-bed hospital on East Venice Avenue. Construction is expected to begin in late 2018 or early 2019 and open in early 2021. The replacement hospital will have all private rooms, an expanded emergency department and expanded surgical suites.

"I’m delighted that Bob Moore has agreed to serve in this position," Mullany also says in the statement. "Bob has been deeply involved in planning the replacement facility for the past year and has developed strong relationships in the community, making him the ideal person to coordinate work to bring this project to fruition.”

The leadership transition will be effective Sept. 1.