Douglas Zaren, LFACHE

Chief Executive Officer of Memorial Regional Hospital South, Memorial Rehabilitation Institute & Post-Acute Care Network (Retired 07/23)

Douglas Zaren is the former Chief Executive Officer of Memorial Regional Hospital South, Memorial Rehabilitation Institute, and the Post-Acute Care Network, where he spent 17 years leading transformational growth across acute and post-acute care services in South Florida.

With more than 48 years of healthcare leadership experience, Doug brings a wealth of knowledge in hospital operations, rehabilitation services, and physician integration. During his tenure at Memorial, he guided the organization through significant expansion, advancing its clinical capabilities, workforce, and service lines.

Throughout his career, Doug championed initiatives that elevated care delivery and expanded access to specialized services, including:

• Launching the Orthopedic Institute of South Florida, uniting specialists in spine, foot and ankle, hand and fracture care, sports medicine, and joint replacement
• Enhancing graduate medical education by launching a new Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation residency program and redesigning a surgical podiatric residency program
• Establishing the Women’s Institute of South Florida and expanding women’s health services

Under his guidance, the Memorial Rehabilitation Institute received and maintained national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for its inpatient rehabilitation programs serving adults, children, and adolescents.

Doug is also a proud veteran, having served for 24 years in the United States Navy and retiring as a Lieutenant Commander in the Medical Service Corps. His military career included hospital administration and leadership roles across the U.S. and internationally.

He is a Lifetime Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (LFACHE) and a Health Care Advisory Board Fellow. He has served as an adjunct professor at both the University of Southern Mississippi and Webster University.

He has served in leadership and advisory roles with the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, Aventura Business Council, Hallandale Chamber of Commerce, Lauderdale Lakes Economic Advisory Board, and Mission United. He is a graduate of both Leadership Hollywood and Leadership Gulf Coast.

Doug holds a Master of Science in Administration in Healthcare Management from Central Michigan University and a Bachelor of Science in Management from the University of West Florida.

With a career that spans both military and civilian healthcare systems, Doug Zaren is known for his steady leadership, focus on clinical innovation, and dedication to advancing patient care while remaining engaged in the communities he serves.