Council confirms hospital board appointments after public criticism of Parish Medical Center leadership

The City Council voted Dec. 9 to reappoint William “Billy” Speck to a four-year term on the North Brevard County Hospital District Board and to confirm Billie Fitzgerald as the county-appointed member subject to council confirmation.

Multiple residents used the public comment period to criticize Parish Medical Center’s performance and long-serving board members. Joseph Ash, a local cardiologist, cited federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services star ratings and years of operating losses and urged new governance to improve outcomes. Stan Johnston and Milton Farrow described personal and professional concerns about the hospital and called for the council to reject reappointments.

During council debate, members discussed term limits, the scarcity of applicants and the limits of the council’s authority. City Manager and other staff noted that the hospital board appointment process is governed by state law and the hospital’s enabling legislation, meaning changes to the appointment process would require action in Tallahassee. Council member Nelson moved to reappoint Speck and to affirm Fitzgerald; the motions passed (Speck reappointment carried on roll call with one recorded no vote from Member Moscoso; Fitzgerald’s confirmation carried unanimously).

Council members said they will consider outreach to recruit new applicants and examine whether local code or county cooperation can be used to encourage turnover. No legislative changes were committed at the meeting.

Next steps: Appointees’ terms will run through Dec. 31, 2029, and council members discussed pursuing outreach to increase applicant participation and considering term-limit proposals that would require county or state-level changes to implement.