Memorial Healthcare System announced two leadership promotions, naming Felicia Turnley CEO of Memorial Hospital Miramar and Stephen Demers CEO of Memorial Hospital West. The moves signal a strategic reshuffle within the South Florida-based healthcare provider’s senior management team.

Demers began his new role at Memorial Hospital West on July 27, 2026. Turnley will transition to her position at Memorial Hospital Miramar in the coming weeks.

Leadership Transitions

Stephen Demers has served as CEO of Memorial Hospital Miramar since 2023. He brings more than 30 years of healthcare leadership experience to his new role at Memorial Hospital West. During his tenure at Miramar, the facility earned five consecutive "A" Hospital Safety Grades from The Leapfrog Group and a 5-Star Overall Hospital Quality Rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Prior to joining Memorial, Demers held leadership positions at several prominent healthcare organizations, including the University of Miami Health System, Lahey Health, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of South Florida, Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. He also served in the U.S. Navy Medical Service Corps.

Felicia Turnley currently serves as CEO of Memorial Hospital Pembroke. She has been part of the Memorial Healthcare System for more than 25 years, serving in a variety of leadership roles across the organization. Before leading Pembroke, Turnley served as chief operating officer of Memorial Hospital West.

During her tenure as CEO of Memorial Hospital Pembroke, the hospital continued to expand access to care while earning consecutive "A" grades for patient safety from The Leapfrog Group. She also helped oversee the expansion of freestanding emergency services in southwest Broward with the opening of Memorial's Red Road ER and Douglas Road ER.

Strategic Outlook

Shane Strum, interim CEO of Memorial Healthcare System, stated that both leaders understand the organization, its culture and the communities it serves. He noted their demonstrated commitment to quality, safety and the patient experience.

Demers expressed excitement about leading an organization with a strong reputation for clinical excellence. He highlighted the exceptional team at Memorial Hospital West and his goal to advance care, support continued growth and ensure patients receive an exceptional experience.

Turnley described herself as honored to continue her journey with Memorial. She acknowledged the strong foundation built by Demers at Memorial Hospital Miramar and expressed her intent to work alongside physicians and employees to expand access to high-quality care for the growing community.

Memorial Healthcare System has installed the Siemens NAEOTOM Alpha, positioning itself as the first healthcare system in South Florida to dedicate a photon-counting CT scanner exclusively to cardiac imaging. Located at Memorial Hospital West in Pembroke Pines, the scanner utilizes photon-counting technology to capture individual X-ray photons, producing high-resolution images intended to reveal tiny coronary arteries and plaque with greater clarity than conventional CT systems.

The new technology addresses limitations associated with traditional CT scanners, such as calcium deposits appearing larger than reality and difficulties evaluating small vessels or metal stents. By delivering sharper images, the system aims to help physicians identify heart disease before it causes permanent damage. Additionally, the scanner operates using lower radiation levels compared to many conventional systems.

Memorial combines this hardware with HeartFlow FFRCT, an AI-enabled tool that transforms scans into personalized three-dimensional models of coronary arteries. This integration allows physicians to assess whether blockages are limiting blood flow, potentially aiding in decisions between invasive interventions and medical therapy.

Clinical Applications

The NAEOTOM Alpha supports the diagnosis and management of various cardiovascular conditions beyond coronary artery disease. Its applications include:

• Congenital heart disease
• Structural heart conditions
• Valve disease
• Evaluation of bypass grafts and coronary stents
• Pre-procedural planning for minimally invasive cardiac surgeries

Shane Strum, interim CEO of Memorial Healthcare System, stated that the investment aligns with the organization's commitment to providing advanced care. Dr. Vamsi Pavuluri, medical director of cardiac imaging operations, likened the image quality improvement to the transition from standard-definition television to ultra-high-definition displays.