Holy Cross Medical Group Appoints Lawrence Ward, MD, MPH, MACP as Chief Medical Officer
January 30, 2026
Fort Lauderdale, FL (January 30, 2026) – Holy Cross Health is pleased to announce the appointment of Lawrence Ward, MD, MPH, MACP as its new Chief Medical Officer for Holy Cross Medical Group (HCMG). Dr. Ward is a nationally recognized physician executive with more than 25 years of clinical and leadership experience across major academic and integrated health systems.
Dr. Ward most recently served as Vice President of Physician Services & Clinical Integration at Bayhealth Medical Center in Dover, Delaware. In that role, he led a multispecialty medical group of more than 200 clinicians spanning ambulatory, inpatient, surgical and perioperative services. His leadership focused on advancing clinical quality, expanding access, improving operational performance and strengthening value-based care initiatives.
A board-certified general internist, Dr. Ward has been recognized as a “Top Doc” by Philadelphia Magazine and has held faculty and leadership appointments at Thomas Jefferson University, Temple University, and the University of Pennsylvania. He has earned multiple teaching awards throughout his career and, in 2025, was honored as a Master of the American College of Physicians—one of the organization’s highest distinctions.
In his new role as Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ward will serve as the clinical dyad partner to the President of Holy Cross Medical Group. He will work closely with division chiefs, clinical leaders and the HCMG Senior Leadership Team to advance the organization’s clinical vision, strengthen physician engagement, support strategic growth and foster an environment centered on quality, safety and exceptional patient experience.
Dr. Ward will also establish his own internal medicine practice on the first floor of the Guerrieri Family Medical Complex, located at 4701 N. Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Ward to Holy Cross Medical Group,” said Maggy Perez Dickens, President, Holy Cross Medical Group. “His deep commitment to clinical excellence, collaborative leadership style and passion for providing exceptional patient care will be invaluable as we continue to grow and serve our communities.”
Dr. Ward begins his role on February 2.
ABOUT HOLY CROSS HEALTH
A member of Trinity Health, Fort Lauderdale-based Holy Cross Hospital, dba Holy Cross Health, is a full-service, not-for-profit, Catholic, teaching hospital operating in the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy. Holy Cross has been recognized for six Types of Care in U.S. News and World Report’s 2025-2026 Best Hospital rankings, was named among the 2024 America’s Best-In-State Hospitals by Newsweek and selected as a Forbes America’s Best Employers for Healthcare Professionals in 2025. Holy Cross has also been designated as a High Performer by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for LGBTQ+ health care access. Through strategic collaborations and a commitment to being a person-centered, transforming, healing presence, the 557-bed hospital offers progressive inpatient, outpatient and community outreach services and clinical research trials to serve as the community’s trusted health partner for life. Holy Cross Health also includes Holy Cross HealthPlex outpatient facility, urgent care centers and more than 40 Holy Cross Medical Group physician practices. To learn more about Holy Cross Health, visit holy-cross.com. Connect with Holy Cross Health on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.