Cleveland Clinic Appoints Regional Presidents, Aligns Operations

As part of a strategic operating model change, the 23-hospital health system formed four submarkets across Ohio.

Cleveland Clinic has appointed four new submarket presidents in a move to align the system's operating model and support its 23-hospital footprint across Ohio. The operating model changes, the system said in a press release, "aim[s] to better align services and enhance quality, safety, and patient experience across all locations."

Effective August 1, Scott Steele, MD, MBA, will serve as president of the main campus; Brian Harte, MD, will serve as president of the south submarket; Richard Parker, MD, will serve as president of the east submarket; and Neil Smith, DO, will serve as president of the west submarket.

Additionally, most of the hospital president roles will transition to the new VP and Chief Medical Officer role where they will continue to be responsible for running the individual hospitals.

"These leaders will play an important role as we shape healthcare for the future," Tom Mihaljevic, MD, the president and CEO of Cleveland Clinic, said in a statement. "Our goal is to deliver consistent care everywhere that we serve patients, and we are always pursuing better ways to serve others while staying true to our mission."

Steele, who will serve as president of the system's 1,400-bed main campus in Cleveland, joined Cleveland Clinic in 2016. He is currently a professor of surgery through the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University. Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic, Steele served as vice chairman for clinical affairs and division chief, colon and rectal surgery at University Hospitals of Cleveland, Ohio. Following his graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point, he served 25 years in the Army, which included four combat deployments.

Harte, who has served as president of Akron General, a Magnet Hospital in Akron, since 2016, will continue to lead the hospital while also leading the system's south submarket. The south submarket includes Akron General, Lodi Hospital, Mercy Hospital, Medina Hospital, Union Hospital, and numerous family health centers and outpatient facilities. Harte previously served as president of Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest and South Pointe Hospitals.

Parker, who has served as president of Hillcrest Hospital, a Magnet Hospital in Mayfield Heights, since 2017, will continue to lead in that role while also leading the system's east submarket. The east submarket includes Hillcrest, Mentor, South Pointe, Marymount, and Euclid hospitals, and numerous family health centers and outpatient facilities. From 2015 to 2017, Parker also served as president of Marymount Hospital.

Smith, who has served as president of Fairview Hospital, a Magnet Hospital in Cleveland, since 2013, will continue to lead the hospital while also leading the system's west submarket. The west submarket includes Fairview Hospital, Avon Hospital, and Lutheran Hospital, and numerous family health centers and outpatient facilities. Previously, Smith served in additional leadership roles at Fairview Hospital, including VP of medical operations, chief of staff, and assistant chief of staff. He also maintains an active private practice in internal medicine.

Steele, Harte, Parker, and Smith will report to Donald Malone, MD, who serves as EVP of the northeast Ohio market.  

"These physicians are all experienced, proven leaders who care deeply about their communities," Malone said in a statement. "The formation of these submarkets will allow them to oversee more strategic coordination of care and services to better serve patients in these regions."

Cleveland Clinic opened its newest hospital, Mentor Hospital in Lake County, last week on July 11. The hospital will serve patients who require shorter hospital stays and outpatient procedures. The hospital also has lab and imaging services, 34 inpatient and observation rooms, 23 outpatient rooms, 19 emergency department beds, 12 pre- and post-anesthesia care beds, and four operating rooms.