Interview with Invest: Pierre Monice, President & CEO, Holy Cross Health

May 2026 — Invest: sat down with Pierre Monice, president and CEO of Holy Cross Health, to discuss how health care providers are expanding access while balancing growth, workforce pressures and rising expectations. Monice outlined Holy Cross’ focus on convenience and quality through new sites of care, mission-driven reinvestment and technology that helps patients recover faster and stay connected. “Programs that integrate clinical care with social determinants of health, like nutrition and job readiness, help communities become healthier overall. When those needs are met, health care becomes more effective and sustainable,” Monice added.

What changes have you seen across the health care sector over the past year, and how are those shifts influencing your leadership approach at Holy Cross Health?

South Florida continues to grow rapidly, and that population growth directly increases demand for health care services. Over the past year, that reality has reinforced the importance of access, efficiency and patient experience. Our community should not have to wait long periods for care or struggle to navigate a complex system.

From a leadership perspective, it requires balance. We need to grow thoughtfully by expanding services and hiring the right talent, while staying disciplined around quality and outcomes.

Growth for its own sake does not matter. What matters is whether we are making the community healthier and delivering care in a way that feels reliable and responsive.

How is delivery of care evolving across your system, and what changes are you making to adapt to how and where patients want to receive care?

Convenience is a major driver. We want Holy Cross to be a convenient option for our community without compromising quality. That has pushed us to expand beyond our main campus and bring care closer to where people live and work.

We have a freestanding emergency department and health center under construction in Deerfield, expected to be completed around May of 2026. We also recently received approval from the city of Fort Lauderdale for a second freestanding emergency department and health center.

These locations are designed to provide more than emergency care. They will offer multispecialty services, including physical therapy, orthopedics and advanced imaging, allowing patients to receive a wide range of care without traveling to the hospital campus. The goal is to meet the community where they are.

Where are you seeing the greatest need or demand for expanded services in Broward County?

Emergency and walk-in care continue to see strong demand. Our emergency department remains busy, and as the population grows, it becomes increasingly important to reduce wait times and create more access points.

In addition to our freestanding emergency centers, we opened an urgent care center in Pompano Beach in June of 2025. It offers walk-in visits, online check-ins and on-site diagnostics, which gives patients flexible options for timely care.

Workforce capacity is equally important. Expansion only works if the right people are in place. We are proud that Forbes named Holy Cross one of the best employers for health care in 2025. That recognition reflects our focus on recruiting, engaging and retaining top talent in Broward County.

What are some of the most pressing challenges you are navigating right now, especially in light of workforce shifts, economic pressures and changing patient expectations?

Financial pressure remains a constant challenge. Health care leaders are being asked to do more with fewer resources, which means we must be disciplined, innovative and intentional about finding efficiencies without compromising care.

At the same time, our first responsibility is to our caregivers. We want our colleagues to feel supported, safe and engaged in their work. When people see opportunities to grow and feel valued, it translates directly into better patient care.

Retention is a major focus. The cost of turnover is high, and continuity matters in health care. We want people to stay, build their careers with Holy Cross and contribute to long-term excellence.

How is innovation showing up at Holy Cross, whether in how care is delivered, how teams operate or how patients engage with the system?

Innovation at Holy Cross is focused on improving outcomes and speeding recovery. Recently, we received a $2 million philanthropic gift to support innovation in rehabilitation through the John and Helaine Ayers Rehabilitation Center. That investment allows us to offer eight state-of-the-art therapies and technologies, many of which are unique in Broward County.These capabilities support patients recovering from vertigo, brain injuries and musculoskeletal conditions, helping them return to daily life more quickly. Our emphasis is always on meaningful innovation that improves quality of life.

We are also advancing robotic and minimally invasive surgery. With the technology and techniques we use, patients undergoing procedures such as total hip replacements can often walk out the same day. Faster recovery and reduced disruption to everyday life are significant benefits for patients and their loved ones.

How does Holy Cross’ mission-driven, not-for-profit model shape your efforts to connect with the community?

Holy Cross is a not-for-profit, faith-based organization and part of a national Catholic health system. Founded 70 years ago by the Sisters of Mercy, we are proud to be celebrating seven decades of serving Broward County.

Our Mission shapes how we think about responsibility and reinvestment. As we perform well, we reinvest back into the community. Each year, we provide millions of dollars in community benefits, including charitable care for individuals who may lack insurance or resources.

That commitment ensures access to care for all members of the community and reinforces our role as a long-term partner in Broward County’s health and well-being.

As you look at access, equity, and outcomes, how are you designing care for such a diverse population?

Meeting people where they are is essential. Technology plays a major role in expanding access, from online check-ins to patient portals, that allow individuals to communicate more easily with caregivers and clinicians.

We are also ensuring our teams are trained and supported in using these tools effectively. Technology should simplify care, not create barriers.

In addition, we offer different care models for different needs. Concierge medicine, for example, can provide faster access and additional support for patients who require more personalized guidance through the health care system. Flexibility is key when serving a diverse community.

What kinds of partnerships are proving most impactful right now?

As a teaching hospital, educational partnerships are critical. We work closely with medical schools, nursing programs and trade schools to help build the workforce needed to support a growing population.

We also partner with high schools and elementary schools to introduce health care as a career pathway, including non-clinical roles that are essential to health systems.

Beyond education, community partnerships address broader health needs. Food insecurity and lifestyle factors directly affect outcomes, so we collaborate with local organizations to promote healthier living and preventive care.

Looking ahead, what are your top priorities over the next few years?

Growth remains important, but it must be paired with a strong focus on community health. We are continuing to expand services while also addressing social determinants of health that influence outcomes.

Programs that integrate clinical care with these social determinants of health, like nutrition and job readiness, help communities become healthier overall. When those needs are met, health care becomes more effective and sustainable.

We truly want to make Broward County one of the healthiest counties across the state and nation, and Holy Cross plays a big role in that.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Broward County benefits from strong health care providers, and that competition ultimately serves the community well. I am especially proud of our clinicians, who are committed to staying on the cutting edge.

We recently celebrated our 1,000th da Vinci Xi robotic surgery, supporting procedures across multiple specialties. In 2025, we treated more than 550 patients with Watchman implants to reduce Atrial Fibrillation-related risk, and we completed our first Inspire V implant, a treatment for sleep apnea.

We are excited to continue bringing advanced care and innovation to Broward County, because the community deserves access to world-class health care, close to home.