Return to Main Menu

Health administration mentor DeMarco dies by Ann Brown Health Administration and Policy Following a lengthy illness, Frank DeMarco III, executive in residence with the Department of Health Administration and Policy (DHAP), passed away Jan. 14. Mr. Frank DeMarco III Mr. DeMarco’s career in health administration spanned more than 30 years, including 15 years as CEO of Charleston’s Trident Health System and five years as president of the Southeast Division of Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) with operational responsibility for 26 hospitals, 100 physician practices, and 12 ambulatory surgery centers in N.C., S.C., and Ga. He joined DHAP three years ago, where he worked with faculty, staff, and students to strengthen the link between academia and the field of health management practice. Respected for his professional expertise as well as for his personal integrity, Mr. DeMarco was a mentor for many health care administrators in the HCA family. After joining DHAP, he introduced first-year Master of Health Administration students to the profession and helped second-year students apply for administrative residencies in hospitals around the country. Students were amazed with his circle of contacts in the field, both in the state and across the nation.  David Ward, DHAP chair, said, “The impact that Frank DeMarco made on our department over the last three years will continue far into the future. His dedication to our students was remarkable; up until the very last time I spoke with him, he was concerned about the second-year students’ residencies coming together.” David Elgarico, a second-year MHA student who also worked for Mr. DeMarco as a graduate student assistant, said, “All of the students will miss Mr. DeMarco. Those who had the opportunity to get to know him well will never regret it, and those who did not have that opportunity have really missed out.”  Mr. DeMarco was a graduate of The Citadel and of Virginia Commonwealth University, and is survived by a wife, Karen, two sons, and four grandchildren.  Thomas Jefferson said “we learn best through the gracious comradeship of our professors.” In this case Frank DeMarco was a professor to us all.  In the time he served as executive-in-residence he enriched the education of our students and he enriched all those who worked with him.  His help on the new building project for the college is an example of how his work will go on to benefit future generations of students. —Danielle N. Ripich, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Health Professions Frank was a respected colleague and friend. He was a talented hospital administrator and he was equally enthusiastic about his role as a faculty member for the past few years.  He will be deeply missed by all who worked with him and studied under his direction. —Ray Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D., MUSC President He was certainly a friend to the students. We enjoyed listening to his stories from his days as an executive. It was so much easier to get your foot in the door with a hospital when you had someone of his experience on your side. The students in the department will miss his friendship personally and his knowledge professionally. —Stephen Creech, 2002 MHA Graduate  I'll never forget the first faculty retreat Frank attended in the department  about three years ago. We didn't know what hit us. There Frank stood, the only  practitioner among a room full of academicians—and he challenged nearly everything we said. Frank forced us to look not at what we were, but what we could become. He envisioned that our department would offer its MHA program in two new formats, a residential and an executive. Today, both program formats are thriving. I believe we are where we are today because of Frank DeMarco's presence in our lives. —Karen Wager, DHAP Faculty On several occasions when he was not able to come in to the office, Frank would call me and ask me to remind the students that they could call him at home any time if they needed to.  He was so dedicated to our students and wanted them all to do well. —Val Miller, DHAP Staff Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.