Broward Health to Settle With Fired CEO

Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based Broward Health has announced that it has reached a tentative settlement with its former chief executive officer, Pauline Grant, whose abrupt firing led to a series of indictments and lawsuits.

Broward Health operates four hospitals and various outpatient centers in South Florida. It is partially supported by property taxes and overseen by a seven-member board that is appointed by the governor.

Grant was a longtime executive of Broward Health who stepped in as CEO after the suicide of the previous CEO.

In 2016, Grant was fired by the board after a kickbacks investigation. The investigation was initiated by Broward Health’s general counsel, with whom Grant had clashed with in the past.

The kickbacks allegations involved the illegal distribution of work to orthopedic surgeons during Grant’s previous job, when she ran one of the system’s hospitals. The allegation was that surgeons were favored if they provided the system with referrals. Grant denied participating in any such scheme.

Broward Health officials said the allegations led to a civil investigation by the federal government, which is still pending.

Broward Health announced that the amount of the settlement was more than $500,000 and less than $1 million. However, Grant’s attorney, Eugene Pettis, has said that the proposed settlement totals more than $900,000. The settlement will not be finalized until approved by the hospital’s board.

Pettis said, “Pauline is very pleased that she has been treated equitably in the litigation…It brings closure to a dark chapter in the district’s history in the way Pauline was treated. We’re glad new leadership stepped in and did the right thing.”

Andrew Klein, chairman of the Broward Health Board, has said that a settlement is the best outcome for both Grant and the hospital system. He said, “It’s important to close out that matter, put it behind us and provide appropriate resolution for Ms. Grant that is long overdue.”