2026 State of the University

NEOMED President John T. Langell, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., presented the 2026 State of the University address on Monday, Sept. 28, in Watanakunakorn Auditorium and with a streaming audience joining via Zoom.

Dr. Langell spotlighted the work of faculty and staff over the past year in support of the University’s 2030 Strategic Plan. 

“We create the future of healthcare in Ohio and beyond. The work that you do every day makes this possible,” Dr. Langell noted. “NEOMED-trained physicians, pharmacists, anesthesia assistants, and soon dentists, care for us and our communities in our moments of greatest need and vulnerability….Our responsibility is to prepare graduates who earn [patients’] trust through their knowledge, their judgment, and the care and the empathy that they provide.”

Throughout the State of the University address, Dr. Langell shared how NEOMED is delivering on its commitment to create transformational leaders and improve health. Accomplishments and initiatives were shared for each of the three pillars of the 2030 Strategic Plan: Engagement and Operations; Academics; and Discovery.

Highlights include:

  • Parental Leave Policy – Dr. Langell announced a new parental leave policy that will take effect on October 1, 2026. The new leave plan allows for three weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child. The full policy can be found here: Paid Parental Leave | NEOMED
  • President's Excellence Awards – Dr. Langell announced the recipients of the President’s Excellence Awards, which honor faculty and staff whose work advances NEOMED’s mission.

President’s Excellence in Teaching Award – Rootstown-based Faculty

Altaf Darvesh

President’s Excellence in Teaching Award – Clinical Faculty

Debra Gargiulo

President’s Staff Excellence in Continuous Improvement

Elizabeth Backus

Cassandra Corrine Butler

  • Distinguished University Professor – The Board of Trustees awarded Jeffrey Wenstrup, Ph.D., the titled of Distinguished University Professor, the highest honor the University bestows on a faculty member.
  • Internal investment – The University invested more than $5 million in instructional technology, audio visual systems, building infrastructure and improved work environments over the past year.
  • Enrollment increase – Traditional enrollment has grown by more than 35%
  • NEOMED Dental Clinic – The dental clinic of the Bitonte College of Dentistry opened for head and neck cancer screenings in September. The clinic will open for more extensive screenings in January, with a full opening planned for June 2027.
  • New master’s degree programs have launched. They include a Master of Science in Health Data Sciences and Artificial intelligence and a Master of Science in Mental Health Practice.
  • The Executive Education program achieved an increase in secured seats from 623 to 1,300 over the past year. The program is on track for 2,000 enrollments this year.
  • Partnerships – The University has enhanced partnerships with Aultman Hospitals in Canton and Mercy Health System in Youngstown, Lorain and Cincinnati. New partnerships have been developed with the Christ Hospital Health Network and Dayton Children's Hospital, Tri Health and Mercy Health Saint Vincent's Hospital System in Toledo.
  • NEOMED Health Care now supports students and employees at Kent State University's DeWeese Health Care Center.
  • Cleveland Health Innovation Center opened in the Warren E. Anderson MidTown Collaboration Center, providing a setting for faculty, clinicians, students, entrepreneurs and community partners to meet, develop ideas and connect with resources.
  • National Attention – The University rose to Tier 3 in U.S. News and World Reports rankings of Best Medical Schools. NEOMED maintained its research designation and climbed 30 places among graduates practicing in rural areas. NEOMED was also included in the inaugural Cure Innovation Index and received Carnegie Research Colleges and Universities designation.
  • Philanthropy – The advancement team has facilitated more than $10 million in philanthropic support over the past year.

As NEOMED looks to the future, Dr. Langell noted the need for increased name recognition beyond the region. The University hired the marketing firm Ologie to conduct a brand assessment. While the recommendation was to keep the name Northeast Ohio Medical University and the shortened form, NEOMED, a tagline has been introduced to accompany the short form: NEOMED: Ohio’s Health and Sciences University.

WATCH: 2026 NEOMED State of the University

 

October 1, 2026
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