Leadership Overview
Health First has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, clinical operations, financial management, and human resources.
Committed to excellence in patient care, Health First delivers comprehensive hospital services including intensive care, rehabilitation, and emergency medicine to improve community health outcomes across the region.
Committed to excellence in patient care, Health First delivers comprehensive hospital services including intensive care, rehabilitation, and emergency medicine to improve community health outcomes across the region.
Leadership Roles at Health First
Youssef Abdelrahman - Chief Executive Officer
Youssef Abdelrahman, the Chief Executive Officer at Health First, directs the overarching strategic vision for all hospital operations. Abdelrahman manages the integration of intensive care and emergency services to ensure high-quality patient outcomes across the Florida market. By aligning clinical goals with long-term organizational growth, the Chief Executive Officer optimizes resource allocation and facility performance. This leadership role involves constant collaboration with the Board to maintain financial health and operational excellence. Youssef Abdelrahman drives the expansion of rehabilitation services, ensuring that the organization meets the evolving needs of the community. Through rigorous oversight of hospital infrastructure, the Chief Executive Officer secures the stability of the entire network. By fostering a culture of innovation, Abdelrahman maintains the competitive position of the company within the healthcare sector, ultimately delivering superior medical care to every patient served by the system.
Lovely Merdelus - Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Lovely Merdelus, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer at Health First, architects the foundational mission and long-term growth strategy for the organization. Merdelus oversees the expansion of hospital services, focusing on the delivery of intensive care and emergency medical solutions. By defining the core values of the company, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer ensures that every rehabilitation program aligns with the highest standards of patient safety. This leadership role requires constant engagement with regional stakeholders to expand the footprint of the organization. Lovely Merdelus drives the development of new clinical initiatives, ensuring that the company remains at the forefront of medical innovation. Through strategic planning and operational oversight, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer maintains the financial viability of the enterprise. Merdelus secures the future of the organization by fostering partnerships that enhance the quality of care provided to the community.
Jeffrey Smith - Chief Financial Officer, Community Health Services
Jeffrey Smith, the Chief Financial Officer, Community Health Services at Health First, manages the fiscal health and budgetary planning for community-focused medical programs. Smith oversees the allocation of capital for rehabilitation and outpatient services to ensure sustainable growth. By analyzing revenue cycles and cost structures, the Chief Financial Officer, Community Health Services optimizes the financial performance of local health initiatives. This leadership role involves collaborating with department heads to align spending with the broader mission of the organization. Jeffrey Smith drives the development of financial models that support the expansion of emergency services within the community. Through rigorous auditing and fiscal oversight, the Chief Financial Officer, Community Health Services maintains the economic stability of the division. Smith ensures that all financial operations support the delivery of high-quality care, ultimately strengthening the market position of the company through prudent resource management.
Kristen Pulio - Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Kristen Pulio, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Health First, manages the global financial strategy and capital investment portfolio for the entire hospital network. Pulio oversees the financial reporting and treasury functions to ensure the long-term solvency of the organization. By architecting complex fiscal strategies, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer supports the expansion of intensive care and emergency service facilities. This leadership role involves coordinating with the Board to evaluate investment opportunities that enhance the market reach of the company. Kristen Pulio drives the optimization of operational budgets to improve margins across all hospital divisions. Through rigorous financial analysis, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer ensures that the company maintains a strong balance sheet. Pulio secures the financial future of the organization, enabling the continued delivery of high-quality rehabilitation and medical services to the region.
Jamie Forrest - President
Jamie Forrest, the President at Health First, directs the day-to-day operations and tactical execution of the company's hospital services. Forrest oversees the performance of intensive care and emergency departments to ensure that operational targets are met consistently. By architecting service delivery models, the President optimizes the patient experience in rehabilitation and outpatient settings. This leadership role involves managing cross-functional teams to ensure that all hospital divisions operate in harmony with the corporate strategy. Jamie Forrest drives the expansion of service lines to meet the growing healthcare demands of the region. Through the oversight of facility management, the President ensures that all infrastructure meets safety and quality standards. Forrest maintains the operational excellence of the company, supporting the mission to provide accessible and high-quality medical care while driving growth and efficiency across the entire organization.
Michael Mullowney - President, Hospital Division
Michael Mullowney, the President, Hospital Division at Health First, directs the operational strategy and clinical performance of all hospital facilities within the network. Mullowney oversees the management of intensive care units and emergency departments to ensure high-quality patient outcomes. By architecting service improvements, the President, Hospital Division enhances the efficiency of rehabilitation programs and surgical services. This leadership role involves coordinating with hospital administrators to maintain compliance with healthcare standards and safety regulations. Michael Mullowney drives the implementation of new clinical technologies that improve the standard of care across the division. Through the oversight of facility operations, the President, Hospital Division ensures that the organization meets the medical needs of the community. Mullowney maintains the operational success of the division, supporting the broader mission of the company to provide exceptional hospital services through dedicated leadership and strategic resource management.
Michael Carr - Chief Information Officer
Michael Carr, the Chief Information Officer at Health First, directs the digital transformation of hospital infrastructure and data management systems. Carr oversees the implementation of secure electronic health records to streamline intensive care and emergency service workflows. By architecting robust cybersecurity frameworks, the Chief Information Officer protects sensitive patient data across the entire regional network. This leadership role involves coordinating with clinical teams to integrate advanced diagnostic technologies into daily operations. Michael Carr drives the adoption of data analytics to improve rehabilitation outcomes and operational efficiency. Through the modernization of IT systems, the Chief Information Officer ensures that medical staff possess the tools necessary for high-quality care delivery. Carr maintains the technological backbone of the company, supporting the strategic goals of the organization while ensuring compliance with all healthcare regulations and data privacy standards.
Paula Just - Chief Human Resources Officer
Paula Just, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Health First, directs the talent acquisition and workforce development strategies for the entire hospital system. Just oversees the recruitment of specialized medical staff for intensive care and emergency departments to ensure optimal staffing levels. By architecting comprehensive training programs, the Chief Human Resources Officer fosters a culture of professional excellence and patient-centered care. This leadership role involves managing employee relations and benefits to maintain high retention rates across the organization. Paula Just drives the implementation of performance management systems that align individual contributions with the strategic goals of the company. Through the development of inclusive workplace policies, the Chief Human Resources Officer supports the diverse needs of the medical staff. Just ensures that the organization attracts and retains top-tier talent, which remains essential for delivering superior rehabilitation and hospital services to the community.
Naushad Amin - Chief Medical Officer
Naushad Amin, the Chief Medical Officer at Health First, directs the clinical standards and medical quality assurance programs across all hospital facilities. Amin oversees the implementation of evidence-based protocols for intensive care and emergency services to ensure patient safety. By architecting clinical governance frameworks, the Chief Medical Officer maintains the highest standards of care in rehabilitation and surgical departments. This leadership role involves collaborating with medical staff to integrate new treatment modalities into daily practice. Naushad Amin drives the continuous improvement of clinical outcomes through rigorous peer review and performance monitoring. Through the oversight of medical staff credentialing, the Chief Medical Officer ensures that the organization employs highly qualified professionals. Amin maintains the clinical integrity of the company, supporting the mission to provide exceptional healthcare services while adhering to the latest medical research and industry best practices.
Parvaneh Khorshidi - Officer
Parvaneh Khorshidi, the Officer at Health First, manages specialized administrative functions that support the daily operations of the hospital system. Khorshidi oversees the coordination of internal processes to ensure that intensive care and emergency departments function without interruption. By architecting efficient workflows, the Officer improves the delivery of rehabilitation services to patients across the region. This leadership role involves facilitating communication between departments to ensure alignment with the strategic objectives of the company. Parvaneh Khorshidi drives the implementation of operational improvements that reduce administrative overhead and enhance service quality. Through the management of key projects, the Officer supports the overall efficiency of the organization. Khorshidi ensures that all administrative tasks are executed with precision, allowing medical staff to focus entirely on patient care, thereby contributing to the reputation of the company as a leader in hospital services.
Explore Leadership Teams in Hospitals & Physicians Clinics
Indiana University Health is the largest network of physicians in the state of Indiana. A unique partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine, one of the nations leading medical schools, gives patients access to leading-edge medicine and treatment options that are available first, and often only, at IU Health. At IU Health youll receive the best care available, personalized for your specific needs. We believe in treating the whole person not just the symptom and ensuring that our approach is right for you and your lifestyle.
Company Leadership
EG
HS
Penn Highlands Healthcare is a Health Care company. Provides its residents hospitals, physicians, nursing home, home health agencies, medical supply companies. The company is headquartered in DuBois, Pennsylvania.
Company Leadership AA
RN
PC
Care Options for Kids is a leading national provider of pediatric home healthcare services headquartered in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, serving children from birth to age 21 across twelve states including Colorado, Texas, Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and others. Founded in 1999, the company unified fourteen previously separate healthcare organizations under a single brand in 2025, and now serves over 28,000 children through a network of more than 3,000 clinicians. Its core service lines include pediatric private duty nursing for medically complex patients, physical, occupational, and speech therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, family caregiver services, and school-based therapy staffing. Services are delivered across in-home, clinic, school, and telehealth settings. The company accepts Medicaid, TRICARE, and major commercial insurance plans, and operates a proprietary digital platform to support care coordination and family community engagement. Care Options for Kids is a portfolio company of Webster Equity Partners and has grown through strategic acquisitions.
Company Leadership TG
AW
BB
Lompoc Valley Medical Center, formerly known as Lompoc Healthcare District, was founded in 1946 and based out of Lompoc, California. They offer clients many services including counseling, emergency care, general surgery, long-term care, outpatient infusion services, sleep studies and more.
Company Leadership JR
WM
RB
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Health First Top Executives and Leadership Team
