Health First Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Health First has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, human resources, financial oversight, medical operations, and staff advocacy.

Committed to delivering high-quality hospital services, Health First prioritizes patient outcomes through intensive care, rehabilitation, and emergency services across the Florida region.

Leadership Roles at Health First

  • Chief Executive Officer - Youssef Abdelrahman
  • Founder & Chief Executive Officer - Lovely Merdelus
  • Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - Kristen Pulio
  • Chief Financial Officer, Community Health Services - Jeffrey Smith
  • Founder and President, Women Physicians' Council - Aimee Tieu
  • President, The Medical Staff - Fuad Ramadan
  • Chief Human Resources Officer - Paula Just
  • Chief Medical Officer - Naushad Amin
  • Associate Chief Medical Officer - Timothy Laird
  • Officer - Parvaneh Khorshidi
  • 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 seamless patient transitions across the network. By aligning clinical excellence with operational efficiency, the Chief Executive Officer drives sustainable growth throughout the Florida market. This leadership role involves constant collaboration with the Board to refine service delivery models and expand rehabilitation capabilities. Youssef Abdelrahman maintains a focus on long-term institutional stability while overseeing the deployment of advanced medical technologies. Through rigorous performance monitoring, the Chief Executive Officer optimizes resource allocation to support the mission of providing superior healthcare. Ultimately, Abdelrahman secures the competitive position of the organization by fostering a culture of continuous improvement and clinical accountability within the entire hospital 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 trajectory of the organization. Merdelus oversees the expansion of specialized hospital services, ensuring that rehabilitation and emergency care remain at the forefront of regional healthcare delivery. By setting the corporate agenda, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer aligns internal resources with the evolving needs of the patient population. This executive role requires constant engagement with external stakeholders to strengthen the market presence of the institution. Lovely Merdelus drives innovation in service delivery models, focusing on the scalability of intensive care units. Through strategic oversight, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer ensures that the organization maintains high standards of medical care. Merdelus consistently evaluates the impact of new initiatives on the overall health outcomes of the community, securing the legacy and future viability of the hospital network.

    Kristen Pulio - Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    Kristen Pulio, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Health First, manages the fiscal health and capital allocation strategies for the entire hospital network. Pulio oversees the budgeting process for intensive care and emergency departments, ensuring that financial resources align with clinical priorities. By analyzing revenue streams and operational costs, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer drives the financial sustainability of the organization. This leadership role involves coordinating with the Board to evaluate investment opportunities in medical infrastructure and rehabilitation technology. Kristen Pulio maintains rigorous oversight of financial reporting and compliance, providing the transparency necessary for long-term growth. Through the implementation of cost-saving measures, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer optimizes the efficiency of hospital operations. Pulio secures the financial future of the institution by balancing immediate service demands with the strategic need for ongoing capital investment in the Florida healthcare market.
    Kristen Pulio

    Jeffrey Smith - Chief Financial Officer, Community Health Services

    Jeffrey Smith, the Chief Financial Officer, Community Health Services at Health First, directs the financial planning and economic performance of the community-focused hospital divisions. Smith oversees the allocation of funds specifically for rehabilitation and outpatient services, ensuring that these critical areas remain accessible to the local population. By monitoring the financial metrics of community health programs, the Chief Financial Officer, Community Health Services drives operational efficiency and resource optimization. This leadership role involves collaborating with clinical directors to align budget constraints with the delivery of high-quality patient care. Jeffrey Smith maintains a focus on the fiscal viability of community-based initiatives, ensuring that these services contribute positively to the overall financial health of the organization. Through detailed analysis of service utilization, the Chief Financial Officer, Community Health Services supports the expansion of essential medical programs. Smith secures the long-term sustainability of community health services by implementing robust financial controls and strategic planning.

    Aimee Tieu - Founder and President, Women Physicians' Council

    Aimee Tieu, the Founder and President, Women Physicians' Council at Health First, directs the advocacy and professional development initiatives for female medical practitioners within the hospital system. Tieu oversees the council's efforts to promote leadership opportunities and clinical excellence among women physicians. By fostering a supportive professional environment, the Founder and President, Women Physicians' Council drives higher engagement and retention rates among the medical staff. This leadership role involves collaborating with hospital administration to ensure that the perspectives of women physicians are integrated into clinical policy and service delivery. Aimee Tieu maintains a focus on mentorship and career advancement, which directly impacts the quality of care provided in intensive care and rehabilitation units. Through the promotion of diversity and inclusion, the Founder and President, Women Physicians' Council strengthens the overall medical expertise of the organization. Tieu secures the future of the hospital network by cultivating a diverse and highly skilled physician workforce.

    Fuad Ramadan - President, The Medical Staff

    Fuad Ramadan, the President, The Medical Staff at Health First, directs the representation and professional interests of the physicians and clinical staff within the hospital network. Ramadan oversees the communication between the medical staff and the executive leadership, ensuring that clinical perspectives inform strategic decisions. By facilitating regular meetings and forums, the President, The Medical Staff drives collaboration and consensus among the diverse medical teams. This leadership role involves advocating for the resources and support necessary to maintain high standards in intensive care and emergency services. Fuad Ramadan maintains a focus on professional conduct and clinical quality, ensuring that the medical staff adheres to the values of the organization. Through the promotion of a collaborative culture, the President, The Medical Staff supports the overall mission of providing exceptional patient care. Ramadan secures the operational cohesion of the hospital by fostering strong relationships between the medical staff and the administration.
    Fuad Ramadan

    Paula Just - Chief Human Resources Officer

    Paula Just, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Health First, directs the talent acquisition and workforce development strategies essential for maintaining high-quality hospital services. Just oversees the recruitment of specialized medical staff, ensuring that intensive care and rehabilitation teams possess the necessary expertise to meet patient demands. By implementing comprehensive training programs, the Chief Human Resources Officer fosters a culture of clinical excellence and professional growth. This leadership role involves managing complex labor relations and organizational culture initiatives to support the broader mission of the institution. Paula Just drives employee engagement efforts that directly impact the quality of emergency services provided across the Florida network. Through the optimization of human capital, the Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that the organization remains fully staffed and prepared for high-acuity medical challenges. Just maintains a focus on retention and leadership development to secure the long-term operational success of the entire hospital system.
    Paula Just

    Naushad Amin - Chief Medical Officer

    Naushad Amin, the Chief Medical Officer at Health First, directs the clinical standards and medical quality initiatives across all hospital facilities. Amin oversees the performance of intensive care and emergency departments, ensuring that patient care protocols meet the highest industry benchmarks. By leading the medical staff, the Chief Medical Officer drives the implementation of evidence-based practices in rehabilitation and acute care. This leadership role involves constant collaboration with other C-suite executives to integrate clinical needs into the broader strategic plan of the organization. Naushad Amin maintains a focus on patient safety and clinical outcomes, regularly reviewing medical data to identify areas for improvement. Through the oversight of medical staff credentialing and performance, the Chief Medical Officer ensures that the institution provides superior healthcare services. Amin secures the clinical reputation of the hospital network by fostering a culture of excellence and continuous learning among all medical professionals.

    Timothy Laird - Associate Chief Medical Officer

    Timothy Laird, the Associate Chief Medical Officer at Health First, directs the operational execution of clinical protocols within the emergency and rehabilitation departments. Laird oversees the daily medical workflows, ensuring that patient care remains consistent with the standards set by the Chief Medical Officer. By managing the coordination between different medical specialties, the Associate Chief Medical Officer drives efficiency in the delivery of intensive care services. This leadership role involves addressing immediate clinical challenges and supporting the medical staff in high-pressure environments. Timothy Laird maintains a focus on optimizing patient throughput and improving clinical outcomes through the application of standardized care pathways. Through the supervision of departmental medical operations, the Associate Chief Medical Officer ensures that the hospital network meets its service delivery goals. Laird secures the operational effectiveness of the clinical team by providing hands-on guidance and facilitating communication across the various medical departments of the organization.

    Parvaneh Khorshidi - Officer

    Parvaneh Khorshidi, the Officer at Health First, directs specific administrative and operational functions that support the delivery of hospital services. Khorshidi oversees the implementation of internal policies that govern the daily activities of the intensive care and rehabilitation units. By coordinating with various departments, the Officer drives the alignment of administrative processes with clinical requirements. This leadership role involves managing cross-functional projects that enhance the overall efficiency of the hospital network. Parvaneh Khorshidi maintains a focus on operational excellence, ensuring that all support services function seamlessly to facilitate patient care. Through the oversight of key administrative workflows, the Officer supports the broader mission of the organization in the Florida healthcare market. Khorshidi secures the operational stability of the institution by identifying and resolving bottlenecks in service delivery. By maintaining a focus on process improvement, the Officer contributes to the long-term success and reliability of the hospital system.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Health First Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Health First?
    Health First is led by Youssef Abdelrahman (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Lovely Merdelus (Founder & Chief Executive Officer) and Kristen Pulio (Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of Health First’s executive team?
    The executive team of Health First includes leaders such as Youssef Abdelrahman (Chief Executive Officer), Lovely Merdelus (Founder & Chief Executive Officer), Kristen Pulio (Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Health First have?
    Health First has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Health First’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Health First includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Community Health Services, Founder and President, Women Physicians' Council.