Frank R. Tortorella

Adjunct Professor

Frank R. Tortorella is currently Executive Director for Patient Experience at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, a 667-bed academic medical center with $4.5 billion total operating revenue, 1.5 million outpatient visits, and 28,000 admissions devoted to cancer patient care, research, education, and prevention that has ranked among the top two in cancer since 1990 by the U.S. News & World Report survey of best hospitals. Previous roles at MD Anderson included Vice President of Accreditation, Regulation, Certification, Vice President of Clinical Support Services, and Associate Vice President of Hospital and Clinic Operations. Mr. Tortorella has over 30 years of healthcare administration experience. Before coming to MD Anderson, he served as the Vice President of Finance and the Vice President of Ambulatory Care at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago.

Mr. Tortorella is board certified in Healthcare Administration and a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). He currently serves as the ACHE Regent for Southeast Texas. Mr. Tortorella holds a Bachelor of Arts cum laude from Harvard University, a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Healthcare Administration from the University of Chicago, and a Juris Doctor degree with a concentration in Health Law from Loyola University of Chicago. Mr. Tortorella is also adjunct professor at the Beazley Institute for Health Law and Policy at Loyola University Chicago School of Law and at the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University.

Mr. Tortorella has served on the Board of Examiners for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the Quality Texas Foundation. He has received awards in recognition of his efforts to achieve performance excellence from the Quality Texas Foundation and was recognized as a Clinical Safety and Effectiveness Fellow by The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He has presented on healthcare operations at professional conferences and co-authored multiple articles in peer reviewed journals on healthcare operations. He is the editor of the book entitled: Leading Ancillary and Support Departments to Higher Performance, The New Service Imperative for Patient Care (2021) and a co-author of Essential Legal Knowledge and Writing Skills, Foundations of Law for Every Profession (2024).

Education

BA, cum laude, English and American Literature, Harvard University
MBA, University of Chicago School of Business (Healthcare Administration)
JD, Loyola University Chicago School of Law (Health Law Certificate)

Courses Taught

Healthcare Regulation and Policy
Introduction to Legal Studies and Legal Writing
MJ Thesis

Publications/Research Listings

Maley, M., Krueger-Brophy, C., Tortorella, F. Essential Legal Knowledge and Writing Skills, Foundations of Law for Every Profession, Carolina Academic Press, 2025.

Tortorella, F., book editor, Leading Ancillary and Support Departments to Higher Performance, The New Service Imperative for Patient Care, Hospital Administrative Press, March 2021.

Tortorella, F., Ethical Issues of Cancer Center Administrators. In: Ethical Challenges in Oncology. Ed(s) Gallagher, C., Ewer, M. Elsevier Academic Press: Philadelphia, Pages 297-310, 2017.

Palos, G., Tortorella, F., Stepen, K., Rodriguez, M., A Multidisciplinary Team Approach to Improving Psychosocial Care in Patients With Cancer. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, Volume 17, Number 5, Pages 556-558, October 2013.

Tortorella, F., Ukanowicz, D., Douglas-Ntagha, P., Ray, R., Triller, M., Improving Bed Turnover Time with Bed Management System. Journal of Nursing Administration, Volume 43, Number 1, Pages 37-43, January 2013.

Tortorella, F., Ewer, M., Douglas-Ntagha, P., Harper, G., Walters, R., Ecung, W., Developing a Transfer Center in a Tertiary Cancer Center: Streamlining Access and Communication to Accommodate Increasing Demand for Service. Journal of Healthcare Management, Volume 56, Number 3, Pages 199-211, May/June 2011.

Rodriquez, A., Tortorella, F., St. John, C., Improving Psychosocial Care for Improved Health Outcomes. Journal for Healthcare Quality, Volume 32, Number 4, Pages 3-13, July/August 2010.

Helm, C., Holladay, C., Tortorella, F., The Performance Management System: Applying and Evaluating a Pay-for-Performance Initiative. Journal of Healthcare Management, Volume 52, Number 1, Pages 49-62, January/February 2007.