Alignment by design: Leveraging physician collaboration to drive enterprise healthcare performance

Author's Biography

James L. Hill, Jr, MD, MBA, CPE, FASA, FACHE, is chief operating officer of University Hospitals Parma Medical Center, Ohio, where he has led transformative initiatives in quality, safety and operational excellence. Recognised by Becker’s Healthcare as a ‘Top COO to Know’ in 2023 and 2024, Dr Hill has advanced physician alignment, expanded clinical services and overseen significant capital projects, resulting in sustained financial performance and national quality awards. Board certified in anesthesiology and critical care medicine, Dr Hill also serves as associate professor of anesthesiology and surgery at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland and at Northeastern Ohio Medical University, Rootstown. His academic contributions include publications in Modern Healthcare, Healthcare Executive Magazine and the Journal of Physician Leadership, alongside national and international invited lectures on leadership, patient safety and physician development. A certified physician executive, a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a Fellow of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, Dr Hill is also a co-founder of Hemaptics, LLC — a company that develops AI-driven blood management solutions and holds multiple patents in healthcare analytics. His career reflects a commitment to bridging clinical expertise with executive leadership, fostering innovation and mentoring the next generation of physician leaders.

Ashley M. Carlucci, DNP, MHA, RN, CEN, CENP, is a distinguished nurse executive leader with over 15 years of healthcare leadership experience. She currently serves as market chief nursing Officer for University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio, overseeing nursing strategy, clinical operations and workforce development across seven regional facilities. A recognised thought leader in triad leadership, workforce transformation and operational excellence, Ashley has successfully integrated hospital systems, developed executive nurse leaders and advanced strategic initiatives, including the ‘Care Team of Tomorrow’ redesign. She holds a doctorate in nursing practice (executive track) from Case Western Reserve University and a master’s in health administration. Ashley was recently named to Becker’s Hospital Review Rising Stars: 104 Healthcare Leaders to Know. Widely published and a frequent national speaker, Ashley focuses her work on emotional intelligence, healthy work environments and care delivery design to strengthen patient outcomes and staff engagement. Her leadership extends to serving as President of the Greater Cleveland Organization of Nursing Leadership, alongside active roles in mentoring, community boards and professional development. Passionate about shaping resilient healthcare systems, Ashley is dedicated to advancing the profession and inspiring future nurse leaders.

Christopher Dussel, MD, MBA, CPE, FACHE, is an accomplished physician executive with extensive expertise in healthcare operations, change management and high-reliability medicine. Currently serving as chief medical officer at University Hospital Parma Medical Center, Ohio — a large community hospital and Level 3 trauma centre — Dr Dussel leads critical initiatives in patient experience, clinical documentation integrity and quality improvement. In addition to overseeing hospital operations, he serves as Emergency Medical Services (EMS) medical director for the City of Parma Fire Department, the Village of Brooklyn Heights, and the Parma Medical Center EMS Training Program. With a career that spans leadership roles in both health systems and large physician groups, Dr Dussel is known for fostering physician alignment, spearheading process improvements and building strong cross-functional relationships. He brings robust experience in contract negotiations, physician and APP recruitment and strategic planning tied to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) quality measures and productivity metrics. Dr Dussel is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, a Certified Physician Executive (CPE) and holds an MBA in healthcare management. Recognised for his leadership and expertise, he was named one of Becker’s Healthcare ‘180 Chief Medical Officers to Know’ in both 2024 and 2025. In addition to his leadership roles, Dr Dussel has contributed thought leadership through publications in Becker’s Healthcare and Healthcare Executive magazine.

Kimberly A. Togliatti-Trickett, MD, MBA, is the Market Chief Medical Officer for University Hospitals Cleveland, Ohio. She has over two decades of comprehensive healthcare management experience in both clinical medicine and healthcare administration. Her career is distinguished by a consistent record of developing innovative cultural transformation, clinical programmes, enhancing hospital efficiency and improving patient outcomes through strategic leadership and quality initiatives. Dr Trickett also holds pivotal roles such as chief medical officer for transitions of care, chair of the UH Professionalism Committee and medical director of acute rehab. In these roles, she oversees physician alignment, hospital operations, quality assurance, patient safety and care transitions, demonstrating her ability to lead complex healthcare systems effectively. Her leadership has contributed to national improvements in healthcare quality, emphasising cost containment and patient-centred care. She is also actively involved in hospital and community boards, further exemplifying her commitment to healthcare excellence and community service. Dr Trickett is a strategic thinker with a reputation for an inclusive, collaborative management style that drives team success and fosters innovation. Her ongoing efforts aim to improve healthcare delivery systems, foster professional growth among healthcare providers and enhance patient care quality on a systemic level, making her a notable figure in the field of healthcare leadership.