Recognized Patient Engagement Leaders 2025

Olusegun "Ish" Ishmael, MD, MBA, FACHE, is a physician executive and health-tech founder with 20+ years of C-suite leadership across safety-net health systems and Medicaid managed care, with a track record of translating strategy into measurable operational and clinical results. Most recently, he served as System Chief Operating Officer & Hospital President at MetroHealth (Cleveland), leading day-to-day operations for a $1.9B system with 8,000+ employees across multiple hospitals and 32 outpatient sites, driving $400M+ revenue growth, improving ED throughput and capacity, strengthening care management, and elevating patient experience. Previously at Sinai Health System (Chicago), he reduced ED boarding by a third and cut surgery cancellations in half through flow redesign, capacity optimization, and execution discipline. He has also led within Medicaid health plans with P&L accountability, improving medical cost performance while advancing outcomes and access. He is the CEO/Founder of MIRA Health, building a digital prevention and medication-adherence companion (with patented technology) designed to improve health outcomes, especially for people disadvantaged by socioeconomic barriers. An immigrant (came to the States at 5) physician-leader, he brings a practical, lived understanding of how systems can widen, or close, opportunity gaps, and he focuses his work on scalable solutions that make care simpler, more consistent, and more equitable. Topics I can speak on (expertise): ED throughput & capacity management; care management; patient experience; safety-net strategy; Medicaid policy/managed care; value-based care; health equity/SDOH; clinical leadership; workforce engagement and culture; digital health adoption; startup building; business growth; minority health issues; immigrant life; and executive leadership.

Dr. Saravanan Thangarajan is a global climate, health, and equity governance advisor focused on how heat, air pollution, and resource insecurity shape health outcomes in climate vulnerable settings. His work connects policy, financing, and frontline service delivery, with a strong emphasis on maternal health, mental health, and community resilience. Trained in dentistry, health administration, and global health delivery, he brings operational and systems experience across public health programs and digital health infrastructure. He provides clear, quote ready insights on climate adaptation for health systems, equity centered governance, and implementation pathways that move evidence into action.

Irina Plakas, is a Registered Pharmacist with over 30 years of experience in healthcare and a Certified Health Coach specializing in metabolic health, behavior change, and midlife wellness. After decades working across retail, hospital, and corporate pharmacy settings, Irina developed a unique perspective on the limitations of a medication-first healthcare model. Through her coaching practice and educational work, she helps adults particularly those over 40 understand how medications, hormones, nutrition, and lifestyle interact to influence weight, energy, sleep, and long-term health. Her approach combines clinical pharmacy expertise with evidence-based health coaching and motivational interviewing to help individuals address the root causes of chronic health issues rather than simply managing symptoms. Irina is passionate about translating complex medical and metabolic science into practical, actionable strategies people can actually implement. She frequently speaks on topics such as medication-related weight gain, metabolic health, sleep optimization, behavior change, and lifestyle strategies that support long-term disease prevention. Her mission is to empower people to take ownership of their health using science-backed tools that improve energy, resilience, and quality of life.

Sridhar Rangu is a Senior Program Manager and enterprise digital transformation leader with more than 20 years of experience delivering complex, high-impact technology initiatives across healthcare, automotive, and enterprise IT environments. He is recognized for leading large-scale programs that modernize legacy systems, improve operational efficiency, and align technology execution with broader business strategy. His expertise spans digital transformation, AI-enabled automation, cloud modernization, enterprise architecture alignment, infrastructure transformation, program governance, and cross-functional delivery leadership. In his current work supporting CVS Health through XSell Resources, Sridhar contributes to strategic initiatives involving enterprise delivery, cloud and infrastructure modernization, automation-driven process improvement, and large-scale transformation planning within one of the nation’s most complex healthcare environments. Throughout his career, Sridhar has built a reputation for managing enterprise-critical programs that require coordination across business, technology, and executive stakeholders. He has successfully led initiatives involving multimillion-dollar program portfolios, modernization of business-critical platforms, process optimization, vendor coordination, and governance structures that improve execution at scale. His work is distinguished by its focus on measurable impact, long-term scalability, and the ability to translate complex technical efforts into business value. Media and industry audiences may find Sridhar particularly valuable as a source on enterprise digital transformation, AI adoption in business operations, cloud migration strategy, healthcare technology modernization, leadership in large-scale IT programs, and the operational realities of managing transformation in highly complex organizations. He is especially well positioned to comment on how enterprises can modernize responsibly while balancing innovation, governance, speed, and stakeholder alignment. What distinguishes Sridhar is his combination of strategic vision, execution discipline, and deep experience navigating large organizational environments where transformation must be both technically sound and operationally sustainable. His perspective is grounded not in theory alone, but in years of hands-on leadership across enterprise programs that shape how organizations adopt technology, improve resilience, and deliver results at scale.

I’m a lifesciences compliance strategist with a passion for building real-world, right-sized programs in fast-moving environments. With deep experience in pharma and medtech, I specialize in translating regulatory complexity into practical, actionable frameworks. I’ve spent 7+ years navigating the gray areas of compliance—from training physicians on industry expectations to building startup programs from the ground up. I believe compliance should be ethical, functional, and human-centered—and that culture is built through clarity, storytelling, and respect, not fear. Outside of policy and audits, I speak regularly on startup compliance and love turning “boring” topics into memorable moments. I'm here to connect, create, and contribute.

Since 2023 I've managed direct channels (email, SMS, and social media) for Omni Hotels & Resorts. Prior to that, I was in the tech industry for 15 years, working my way up from a site merchandiser at Amazon to the Chief Growth Officer of a seed-stage startup. I've spoken at the SXSW Interactive and Salesforce Connections conferences, and am the author of the book Fatal Abstraction: Why the Managerial Class Loses Control of Technology, which explores the intersection of technology and leadership and the ways poor leadership can lead to technological disasters.

The platform offers a wide range of medical treatments and surgical services. I help patients access affordable, high-quality care across 28 JCI-accredited MedicalPark hospital branches, together with 8 Liv Hospitals and 2 ISUdent dental hospitals throughout Turkey.

Tirumala Rao Chimpiri is a senior enterprise technology professional with more than 26 years of experience driving ERP modernization, digital transformation, and business-process automation for Fortune 500 companies and global organizations across the banking, manufacturing, logistics, and public-sector domains. He has led major ERP programs spanning finance and HR systems, delivering operational agility, enhanced security, and measurable performance gains at scale. He serves as Chair of the IEEE Computer Society’s Long Island Section and is a Senior Member of IEEE and a Fellow of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (IETE). He contributes to enterprise-technology governance and digital-innovation strategy through leadership roles in national and international technology organizations, helping shape the future of intelligent enterprise platforms.

A company is only as strong as its people. Yet, I see it every day—burnout, stress, and chronic fatigue are draining the energy of employees, impacting performance, engagement, loyalty, and innovation. I’ve spent my career uncovering the root causes of these issues and helping people reclaim their energy, focus, and long-term health. As a physician, bestselling author, and host of the nationally syndicated TV show Ask Dr. Nandi, I’ve helped millions take control of their well-being. My latest book, Heal Your Gut, Save Your Brain, a New York Times bestseller, unpacks the critical link between gut health and cognitive wellbeing—a connection that has the power to transform not just individuals, but entire organizations. This is a core promise of The Vitality Advantage—the idea that when employees function at their best, companies thrive. I don’t just share science-backed strategies for better health—I help teams implement real changes that boost resilience, performance, and energy in a way that directly impacts business success. My message is simple: * Vitality is a Vital business advantage. * Healthy employees are more engaged, creative, and productive. * Burnout prevention starts with physical and mental well-being. * Corporate transformation happens from the ground up—one healthier, more energized employee at a time. If your company is ready to embrace The Vitality Advantage, let’s connect and discuss how I can bring this actionable, high-impact message to your organization.

✔️ I have a unique way of connecting dots that are not always obvious from the inside or at first glance. ✔️I find real, inspiring, tangible practices to make it more playful brings ease to day-to-day life and responsibilities ✔️ I enjoy being responsive to the people around me. I want to work closely with professional teams and continue learning about life with them. ✔️I want to spend my time with other curious people working in collaboration and contributing to their world in meaningful ways.

Solving complex healthcare problems with innovative applications and simple solutions for…

PhD in behavioral science (London School of Economics). Passionate about understanding decisions and behavior, specifically in the context of health and healthcare.

I'm the founder of Flourish Health, a Toronto based health coaching service that helps busy professionals rebuild reliable energy and long-term health using their real-world data and actual weekly routines. Over the past several years, I have focused on turning wearable metrics like HRV, sleep, and activity into simple, practical action plans that fit into demanding careers without adding more time to an already full schedule. My work centers on bridging the gap between consumer health data and day to day decision making by combining AI driven analysis with 1:1 human coaching. This includes auditing a client’s schedule, identifying “energy leaks,” and creating step by step routines that improve productivity, recovery, and focus in as little as 10 to 15 minutes per week of active effort. I collaborate with health and innovation partners and support clients across Canada and the United States, with an emphasis on evidence based strategies that are realistic for high performers who cannot pause their careers to work on their health. Through Flourish, I continue to refine a repeatable system that helps professionals build consistent energy, faster recovery, and promotion ready presence, all while protecting privacy and aligning with HIPAA and PIPEDA standards for data security.

Dr. Enad is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine, trauma, and joint replacement. He has authored multiple publications and is regularly cited in the media for his clinical knowledge. He also has clinical interest in exercise physiology and obesity medicine.

Ruslan Seyidov is an independent infrastructure engineer and RIPE Labs author focused on the intersection of physical execution and incident escalation. Based in Azerbaijan, he supports international CDN and carrier teams with on-site interventions in high-risk environments. His work examines rack-level instability, topology fragility, and the operational blind spots that emerge when monitoring remains green but structural redundancy quietly collapses

I’m a healthcare marketing strategist with 10+ years of experience helping hospitals, clinics, med-tech, health tech, and wellness brands grow through compliant, patient-first digital marketing. I work across SEO, content strategy, and performance marketing to improve visibility, generate qualified enquiries, and build trust at every stage of the patient journey. My focus areas include healthcare SEO and local search, Google Ads and Meta campaigns for medical services, LinkedIn marketing for B2B health tech, and conversion-focused landing pages. I also support sales enablement by setting up lead nurturing workflows, tracking, and reporting that help teams follow up faster and close better. I’m especially interested in the real-world balance between privacy rules and creative communication, including HIPAA-aware messaging and ethical patient education. Contact: manish@publicmediasolution.com

We are a team of healthcare marketers, data scientists, and technologists dedicated to helping healthcare organizations thrive in the digital age. Our mission is to empower healthcare providers with the digital marketing tools and strategies they need to reach more patients, improve health outcomes, and grow their practices. We believe that by combining cutting-edge technology with a deep understanding of the healthcare landscape, we can create a more connected and accessible healthcare ecosystem for everyone. Our Vision To be the world's most trusted and effective digital marketing partner for the healthcare industry. Our Approach A data-first, ROI-focused methodology supercharged by proprietary AI. Our Core Values The principles that guide our work and our partnerships. Innovation We are relentless in our pursuit of better ways to deliver results, leveraging AI and technology to stay ahead. Integrity We operate with transparency and honesty. Our clients' trust is our most valuable asset. ROI-Focused We are obsessed with performance. Every action we take is aimed at delivering a measurable return on investment.

In its tenth year, Elder is an award-winning home care platform that matches older adults with self-employed carers for flexible and personalised live-in care across the UK. Founded on the principle that home is the best place to age, Elder is committed to delivering solutions that enhance patient dignity and provide families with peace of mind. Elder has helped to deliver more than 15 million hours of home care across the UK. Elder’s technology: Intelligent, fast matching: Utilising AI, Elder’s proprietary matching technology rapidly pairs people needing home care with self-employed carers based on care needs, lifestyle factors and even personality, hobbies and interests. This streamlines the lengthy social care assessment process. Immediate Capacity: Elder has 5,000 plus carers on its platform across England, Wales and Scotland. Elder can arrange care in days, not weeks. In many cases, Elder has helped arrange care within 24 hours. Peace of mind: Families can speak with carers and read reviews from others before selection. As a result, 9 out of 10 customers find their ideal carer the first time. Safety: All carers on Elder pass a rigorous screening which includes a background check, character and skills assessment, and verifiable professional references. Only two per cent of applicants are successful.

As a performance-driven healthcare technology executive, I bring 15+ years of experience defining product vision, leading end-to-end development, and driving innovation that improves outcomes and fuels growth. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on building user-centered products that not only meet business goals but also serve a deeper purpose—enhancing trust, clarity, and impact in how we interact with technology. Whether in healthcare or beyond, I believe great products should empower people to make informed decisions and avoid becoming unintentional ambassadors of misinformation.

I am a practicing clinical pharmacist with over 20 years of experience and a graduate of St. John’s University School of Pharmacy in Queens, NY. With an undergraduate background in compounding and natural medicine, I have served in various capacities across the pharmaceutical industry before founding Fusion Medical Care in Scottsdale, AZ. My career is defined by my dedication to a balanced approach between natural and allopathic medicine, a passion that led me to develop a complete wellness center housing multiple integrative practitioners. Beyond my foundational education, I have advanced my specialized training through the Professional Compounding Centers of America and am a Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Anti-Aging Health Practitioners. I believe that my role as a pharmacist offers the perfect opportunity to fuse naturopathic and allopathic care, acting as a dedicated advocate for my patients' pharmacological and wellness needs. My mission is to empower patients to look and feel amazing by following my core philosophy: "Let your food be your medicine, your kitchen be your pharmacy, and your lifestyle be your doctor". My innovative approach to healthcare has earned me national recognition, including an honor in Marquis Who’s Who and a featured interview with VoyagePhoenix highlighting my journey and the mission behind Fusion Medical Care.