Dr. Robert F. Centeno, chief medical quality officer at the Juan F. Luis Memorial Hospital, has resigned the position effective Oct. 15, the hospital announced Thursday.

“My resignation is entirely a personal decision," Centeno said. "My commitment to the strategic plan and vision for JFL reaching its audacious goal remains steadfast.”

“It is my sincere hope that the legislative and executive branches will give JFL the financial support or latitude required to emerge from its current financial emergency,” he said.

Centeno joined JFL as a staff physician in 2008 and has held a variety of positions. In 2009 he became vice president for medical affairs and chief medical officer, introducing a physician peer performance improvement program and collaborating with Barry University to establish a physician assistant training program at the hospital.

He also led the operating room improvement project, which resulted in the hospital increasing its surgery cases by 20 percent.

Most recently, as the chief medical quality officer, Centeno led JFL’s information technology team in implementing the $6 million hardware/software upgrade of the hospitals IT system, and has led the creation of JFL’s “Healthy Access” initiative, focused on reducing uncompensated care and improving the health status of uninsured patients in the community.

“His commitment to the hospital and the community is remarkable, said Kye Walker, chairman of the hospital's board of directors. "The Board wishes him well and much success on this next chapter in his medical career.”

“Dr. Robert Centeno has been and will always be a valued member of the JFL team and medical staff,” said hospital Chief Executive Officer Jeff Nelson. “We are saddened to see him go as JFL wishes to recruit. and more importantly retain, our talented, qualified physicians and healthcare professionals.”