FORT LAUDERDALE -- Florida Medical Center announced  that it has named Dr. Joel Frankel as the hospital's chief of staff. 

Dr. Frankel will serve a two-year term as the leader of FMC's medical staff and their representative in the hospital's Executive Committee.  

"Dr. Frankel has been affiliated with FMC since 1980, and his experience and commitment to quality in medicine make him an ideal representative for the hospital' s medical staff," said CEO Bob Haley.  "He shares the hospital's dedication to continuous improvement and providing the highest level of patient care."

Dr. Frankel has previously served as the vice chief of staff and director of the Cardio Pulmonary Department at FMC.  He is also a member of the hospital's Board of Trustees.  He is the chairman of Florida Institute of Health, a South Florida group practice. 

Dr. Frankel is board certified in pulmonary and internal medicine.  He earned his medical degree from the State University of New York and bachelor's degree from Adelphi University.     

Florida Medical Center, part of Tenet's Miami-Dade/Broward Health Network, is a 459-bed acute care hospital founded in 1973 and fully accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. 

Located at 5000 West Oakland Park Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale in western Broward County, Florida Medical Center offers a broad range of medical and surgical services.  Its Heart Institute of Florida, the hospital's center for cardiac services, is designated a Premium Cardiac Specialty Center by UnitedHealthcare. 

The hospital earned the Pulmonary Care Excellence Award for 2008 from HealthGrades, the leading ratings organization for hospitals and physicians, and it also earned five-star ratings from HealthGrades for its treatment of heart attacks, heart failure, stroke, pneumonia, hip fractures and other ailments. 

FMC's additional services include neurology and neurosurgery, cancer care, orthopedics, urology, psychiatry, gynecology, imaging, pain center, sleep lab, wound care, and 24-hour emergency services.  Information is available by calling (954)735-6000.