A week before he shot himself to death, Dr. Nabil El Sanadi telephoned David Di Pietro, chairman of the board of the Broward Health public hospital system to talk about the future.

Although he was recovering from triple bypass surgery, El Sanadi brushed aside Di Pietro's suggestion that he stick to discussing his own health. He insisted on talking business and his plans for Broward Health, where he had served for just more than a year as chief executive officer.

"He sounded great, for a guy who just had his chest surgically opened," Di Pietro said. "We talked about what we wanted for Broward Health."

On Saturday, the 60-year-old emergency room physician took his own life, dying of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the Lauderdale-by-the-Sea condominium building where he lived, according to the Broward Sheriff's Office. He was found dead in a bathroom in the lobby about 4 p.m., said spokeswoman Veda Coleman-Wright. Deputies did not find a note, she said.

"He was the champion of Broward Health all the time," said Di Pietro, who broke down crying as he discussed the late chief executive. "If we needed to do something, like vaccinate children of less means, he would be the first guy I'd call. This is a loss not only to Broward Health, but to the whole community."