Northeast Ohio Healthcare Transformation Forum unites Ohio healthcare leaders at NEOMED

Pictured above: Scott Becker, Becker's Healthcare, was the keynote speaker for this year's event

The Northeast Ohio Health Care Transformation Forum returned to NEOMED for its second year on Friday, May 8, 2026. The forum was well represented by healthcare leaders from across Ohio who came together to advance meaningful, actionable change across the region’s healthcare ecosystem.

President John T. Langell, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., FACS, began by crediting Jordan Cinderich, M.Ed., LSSBB, for making the forum a possibility as his “brainchild” more than two years ago.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the great work that comes out of these amazing minds that will help solve problems and learn from each other today, as we strengthen healthcare, and strengthen the wellness of our communities together,” said Dr. Langell.

He then turned things over to the event sponsor and keynote speaker, Scott Becker, J.D., CPA, whom Dr. Langell described as a “transformational leader whose vision and influence is shaping healthcare across the nation.” Becker is the founder and publisher of Becker’s Healthcare, and was a recipient of an honorary degree from NEOMED in 2025 for his many contributions to the field.

“It’s remarkable what NEOMED is doing to innovate care,” said Becker, noting the implementation of new programs to address critical needs like the Certified Mental Health Assistant program.  

Throughout the duration of the forum, two local artists worked on a mural being created in real time. By the forum’s end, the mural would stretch 25-feet long with representations of conversations throughout the day. The mural is currently on display in the Campbell Atrium, near the College of Medicine’s Office of the Dean.

Following individual breakout sessions and a panel discussion, Cinderich closed the event by presenting the 2026 Rising Leader in Healthcare Transformation Award to the University Hospitals Veale Healthcare Transformation Institute operational team.

“Transformation is their job, and they do it exceptionally well!” exclaimed Cinderich. “They really believe in the work that they do.”  

A triptych of three men in suites talking while gesturing with their hands

Pictured above: Dr. Shehzad Saeed, Dr. Roderick Harris and Dr. Forrest Faison

A panel discussion featured leaders from diverse healthcare disciplines who discussed the current state of the Ohio healthcare landscape, barriers to transformation and opportunities for multidisciplinary collaboration. Here’s what they had to say:

Shehzad Saeed, M.D., FAAP, NASPGHAN-F
Chair of Pediatrics, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine

“For me, we need to change business care to wellness care. Healthcare has to be delivered outside of just the hospitals.”

Roderick Harris, Dr.P.H.
Health Commissioner, Cuyahoga County Board of Health

“Think about the narrative you tell yourself. What healthcare systems are you part of? What is that narrative and what should it be?”

Forrest Faison III, M.D., Sc.D.(hon), FAAP
Senior Vice President and Provost, NEOMED
38th Surgeon General of the U.S. Navy

“Fixing the healthcare system will require innovation, new programs and new ways of doing things and challenging assumptions.”

Gallery

two women in business attire are seated a table. They hold papers in their hands and look across the table with serious expressions A sideview of a man in a suit and tie speaking into a microphone. On the other side, in the background, two men with their backs to the camera work on a colorful poster. A man in suit and tie speaks behind a podium branded with the NEOMED logo two men in suits and ties chat in a doorway two men in suits chat with a man in a white coat. a woman with her back to the camera joins in their conversation two men with their backs to the camera work on a colorful poster

May 15, 2026
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