By Wael Barsoum, Healthcare Leader. Orthopaedic Surgeon. Inventor. Researcher. (Via Linkedin)
Cleveland Clinic has been part of my family for most of my life. My father trained in anesthesia at Cleveland Clinic in the 1970s. Twenty-three years ago while I was an orthopaedic resident, I met my beautiful wife, Michelle, when she worked as a child life specialist at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital. My two oldest daughters were born at Fairview Hospital.
June 22 marked my 25th anniversary at Cleveland Clinic, which is why I felt this would be an appropriate milestone with which to start the next chapter of my life. I have stepped down as CEO and President of Cleveland Clinic Florida to take a new role as President and Chief Transformation Officer of HOPCo. I will continue to serve as a part-time member of our professional staff as an orthopaedic surgeon.
This was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make. I love this organization and I always will. It is a place where miracles happen. A place where innovation is part of our DNA. It is a place with a vibrant, inclusive culture.
All of those attributes are a reflection of the people who work here. They are the heartbeat of this organization. The caregivers of Cleveland Clinic Florida are some of the finest I have met in healthcare. Their compassion, professionalism, skill and capacity to care for others is inspiring and has always driven me to be better, to do more.
Cleveland Clinic Florida is in great hands. Dr. Joseph Iannotti is a phenomenal leader, who will keep this organization moving forward as interim CEO and President of Cleveland Clinic Florida. We have an incredible team of leaders across the region, who will maintain focus on the goals we have set.
And of course, we have dedicated caregivers who will continue to ensure Cleveland Clinic is the best place to go for care and the best place to work in healthcare.
Finally, I want to thank our partners across the communities we serve for your collaboration and your dedication to caring for our patients. I believe we have created an exceptional healthcare system in Florida by working together and we will continue to build on those successes through our collective teamwork.
It has been my pleasure to lead the organization to two consecutive #1 spots on the US News Ranking of Hospitals in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale market and to the integration of a healthcare organization across five counties that will change the face of the industry in a large section of Florida.
Cleveland Clinic Florida’s best days are yet to come. And I have miles to go before I sleep.
