Leading University Hospitals: Meet The Ceo

who is the ceo of university hospitals

University Hospitals CEO Thomas F. Zenty III stepped down from his position on January 31, 2021, after nearly two decades at the helm. His successor is Cliff A. Megerian, MD, who previously served as President of the UH Physician Network. Megerian is a distinguished surgeon, researcher, and clinician with expertise in ear surgery and cochlear implants for children.

Characteristics Values
Name of the CEO of University Hospitals Thomas F. Zenty III (former CEO)
Name of the current CEO of University Hospitals Cliff A. Megerian, MD
Name of the President and CEO of University Hospital Edward Jimenez
Thomas F. Zenty III's tenure Nearly two decades
Cliff A. Megerian's qualification Pioneer in cochlear implants for children, international authority in ear surgery, highly respected researcher, distinguished clinician
Cliff A. Megerian's education University of Michigan Medical School

shunhospital

Thomas F. Zenty III was CEO until January 31, 2021

Thomas F. Zenty III was the CEO of University Hospitals, a $4 billion comprehensive health system with over 26,000 physicians and employees, and 1 million patients served annually. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, UH includes 18 hospitals, more than 40 community health centers, and hundreds of physician offices across 15 Northeast Ohio counties.

Zenty's leadership at UH spanned nearly 20 years, during which he oversaw significant growth and transformation. Under his guidance, UH expanded its market share and raised more than $1.4 billion in philanthropic support. The health system integrated five suburban community hospitals and established state-of-the-art facilities, including the UH Seidman Cancer Center and the UH Ahuja Medical Center. Zenty also played a pivotal role in the creation of the Harrington Project for Discovery and Development, an initiative supporting physician-scientists in drug development and commercialization.

Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Zenty was drawn to University Hospitals due to its strong commitment to serving the community. He pursued a career in hospital administration, obtaining a graduate degree from Xavier University. Before joining UH in 2003, Zenty held leadership positions at various health systems across the United States, including serving as Executive Vice President at Cedar Sinai Hospital in California for ten years.

Thomas F. Zenty III stepped down as CEO of University Hospitals on January 31, 2021. He has since taken on new roles, including serving as a strategic advisor within Guidehouse's health segment, where he provides invaluable insights and guidance to hospital and health system clients.

shunhospital

Cliff A. Megerian, MD, succeeded Zenty as CEO

Cliff A. Megerian, MD, FACS, is the Chief Executive Officer of University Hospitals (UH), a comprehensive health system with annual revenues of $5.3 billion. He assumed this position in February 2021, succeeding the previous CEO, Zenty. Dr. Megerian has a distinguished career in medicine and healthcare leadership.

Prior to becoming CEO, Dr. Megerian served in various roles at UH and other institutions. He joined UH in 2002 and was appointed system President in December 2019, where he played a crucial role in leading the organization through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Before that, he served as President of the University Hospitals Physician Network, Physician Services, and System Institutes. In these positions, he was responsible for managing clinical integration strategies, policies, and practice guidelines for over 2,500 UH-employed physicians.

Dr. Megerian's clinical career has been dedicated to the management of hearing loss, chronic ear disease, cholesteatoma, otosclerosis, vertigo, and other otology and neurotology issues. He is a renowned expert in the diagnosis and treatment of acoustic neuroma. As a surgeon, he co-founded the UH Cochlear implant program and has performed over 1,500 cochlear implant surgeries, making it one of the largest such programs in the country. Additionally, he has published over 130 peer-reviewed manuscripts and abstracts and served as a visiting professor at numerous medical schools worldwide.

Dr. Megerian's leadership and expertise have been recognized by several organizations. In 2024, he was named to the Cleveland 500 by Cleveland Magazine and was included in Crain's Cleveland Business Power 150 list. Becker's Healthcare also acknowledged him as one of the Great Leaders in Healthcare and CEO Influencers. In 2023, Modern Healthcare named him one of the 100 Most Influential People in the U.S. healthcare industry.

Throughout his career, Dr. Megerian has contributed significantly to the field of medicine and healthcare innovation. He has served on various boards and committees, including the American Hospital Association's Health Systems Committee and the boards of the Ohio Hospital Association and the Greater Cleveland Partnership. His research interests in the pathogenesis of Meniere's disease have garnered funding from agencies such as the NIH and DRF. Additionally, he previously served as a consultant to the FDA in the regulation of Ear, Nose, and Throat Devices.

shunhospital

Megerian is a surgical pioneer in cochlear implants for children

Edward Jimenez is the current President and CEO of University Hospital. He is known for his strategic leadership, driving excellence in patient care and hospital operations.

Now, moving on to the topic of cochlear implants, the procedure has indeed benefited many individuals, including children, and there have been pioneers in this field who have made significant contributions. One such pioneer is Dr. Thomas Balkany, a renowned physician, scholar, and surgeon who made immense contributions to the evolution of cochlear implantation. Dr. Balkany's work not only restored hearing but also positively impacted the lives of deaf children, as recalled by his colleague, Dr. Adrien Eshraghi. Dr. Balkany was also known for his humble and approachable nature, making complex surgical concepts accessible to his students.

Another notable pioneer in the field of cochlear implants is Dr. William House, who was the first to perform a pediatric cochlear implant in the United States. Dr. House's journey began in the early 1960s, when he faced challenges due to the lack of biocompatible materials available at the time. However, he persevered and, by 1969, he had implanted three patients with a multiple-electrode system, leading to the development of the first "take-home" cochlear implant in 1972. Dr. House also authored a memoir, detailing his struggles and experiences as a medical innovator in the face of criticism and the challenges of developing cochlear implant technology.

Cochlear implants have come a long way since their early days, with advancements in surgical techniques. The global complication rate for CI surgery has decreased significantly over the last four decades, and the procedure is now largely safe for both children and adults. The benefits of cochlear implants extend beyond improved hearing, positively impacting various aspects of quality of life, including social, emotional, psychological, and physical well-being.

shunhospital

University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center was recognised for equitable access

The current President and CEO of University Hospital is Edward Jimenez, who drives the hospital's vision and strategy to deliver excellence in patient care and hospital operations.

University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center was recognized for equitable access by being the only Ohio-based hospital to be named to U.S. News & World Report's inaugural list of Best Regional Hospitals for Equitable Access. The Center ranked among the Top 50 in three specialties: Cancer, Neurology/Neurosurgery, and ENT. It was also deemed High Performing in 6 Adult Specialties and 14 Procedures and Conditions. This recognition highlights the hospital's success in providing quality care to patients in historically underserved communities.

In addition to this, University Hospitals has also been recognized for its commitment to improving healthcare access and equity for all. This includes their work in improving community health, such as through their UH Food For Life Markets®, which have helped patients improve their health outcomes. Their investment in community benefit totaled more than $530 million, further demonstrating their dedication to caring for the most vulnerable.

The University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center is a 900+ bed quaternary referral center for the UH health system, serving 1.2 million patients in Northeast Ohio. The Center has received numerous awards and accreditations, including being ranked among the nation's top hospitals for 26 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report. It has also been recognized as a Magnet organization by the ANCC and received the Lantern Award from the Emergency Nurses Association for its pediatric emergency center.

University Hospitals has grown over the last 150 years to become one of the nation's leading healthcare systems, committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered medical care. With a national reputation for excellence, direct involvement in pioneering medical advancements, and a dedication to training future healthcare providers, University Hospitals strives to uphold its mission: "To Heal. To Teach. To Discover."

shunhospital

UH has a national reputation for providing the highest-quality care

University Hospitals CEO Thomas F. Zenty III stepped down on January 31, 2021, after a nearly two-decade tenure. Under his leadership, UH grew to become a super-regional academic health system with a national reputation for providing the highest-quality care. This reputation is the result of several factors, including the hospital's commitment to providing equitable access and compassionate care to all patients, its focus on community health and economic development, its investment in physician and nurse recruitment, advanced technologies, and programmatic growth, and its dedication to career development and succession planning for its employees.

UH's commitment to equitable access is demonstrated by its recognition as the only Ohio-based hospital to be named to the U.S. News & World Report's inaugural list of Best Regional Hospitals for Equitable Access in 2024. This recognition highlights UH's success in caring for patients in historically underserved communities while maintaining high-quality care. UH's community health investment totaled $707 million in 2023, reflecting its commitment to enhancing the physical and economic health of the communities it serves.

The hospital's focus on providing compassionate care is also a key contributor to its reputation. Patient surveys indicate that UH is known for delivering care with compassion, and the hospital strives to provide an excellent "hospitality-like" experience at every touch point, from making appointments to receiving care and digital interactions. UH's commitment to compassion is further demonstrated by its Hospital@Home program, which allows patients to receive monitoring and care in the comfort of their homes.

In addition to its clinical excellence, UH prioritizes the professional development of its employees. The creation of the UH Leadership Institute reinforces the hospital's commitment to career progression and succession planning. As a result, nearly 80% of promotions come from within the system. UH also invests in workforce development programs, creating career pathways for people in the region and enhancing the diversity of its talent pool.

The hospital's reputation for providing the highest-quality care is further enhanced by its investment in physician and nurse recruitment and advanced technologies. During Zenty's tenure, UH invested in the construction, renovation, and expansion of its facilities, ensuring that the hospital has the best talent and resources to provide exceptional care to its patients.

Frequently asked questions

Cliff A. Megerian, MD, FACS.

Cliff A. Megerian became CEO of University Hospitals in February 2021.

Cliff A. Megerian is a distinguished clinician and researcher with expertise in otology, neurotology, and ear surgery. He previously served as President of the University Hospitals Physician Network and held academic appointments at various universities.

Under Cliff A. Megerian's leadership, University Hospitals has received recognition for equitable access and community impact. He has also been acknowledged for his influential role in US healthcare and ranked among the top hospital executives.

The CEO of a healthcare organization, such as University Hospitals, is responsible for creating a supportive environment that enables caregivers, researchers, and teachers to achieve their potential. They play a pivotal role in strategic planning, clinical integration, and enhancing the patient experience.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment