Memorial Health is pleased to announce Joel Leone has joined the organization as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). As a member of the executive leadership team, he will be responsible for leading hospital operations at Memorial Health University Medical Center. 

“We are excited to welcome Joel to our Memorial Health senior leadership team,” said Brad Talbert, chief executive officer of Memorial Health. “He is a proven hospital administrator who has demonstrated success at driving results in service line development, capital construction management, workforce development, and efficient operations.”

 Leone previously served as COO at HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital, a 282-bed acute care hospital in Panama City, FL. There, he helped drive meaningful growth and operational progress across the organization. He provided administrative leadership for hospital operations and service lines, including spine surgery, orthopedics, cardiac catheterization, robotic surgery, obstetrics & gynecology, Level III neonatal intensive care, pediatrics, and inpatient rehabilitation as well as two freestanding emergency departments. He also executed strategic growth initiatives, provided support for medical staff relations, and led major service expansions and construction projects totaling $93M in capital investments.

He also served as vice president of operations at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, a 545-bed acute care hospital in Ocala, FL. There, he provided administrative oversight for operations of multiple ancillary departments. Leone was also service line administrator for the hospital’s robotic surgery program, which achieved Center of Excellence for Robotic Surgery designation. He also facilitated $65M+ in new capital and facilities improvements.

Leone received his Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL, and his Master of Health Administration at University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. He completed an Administrative Fellowship program at Florida Medical Center and is also a graduate of HCA Healthcare’s Chief Leadership Program.