MetroHealth has selected Dr. Olusegun Ishmael to serve as chief operating officer and president of the hospital division, a newly created role for the Cleveland-based health system.
Dr. Ishmael will begin his new role Jan. 16, according to a Dec. 27 health system news release. He will oversee clinical operations across the health system as well as hospital support services, public safety, and facility services and space management. He joins MetroHealth from Sinai Chicago, where he served in a similar capacity as chief clinical operations officer.
Dr. Ishmael was appointed by MetroHealth's new president and CEO, Airica Steed, EdD, RN. She replaced Akram Boutros, MD, who was fired as leader of the health system Nov. 21 after the board of trustees received findings of a probe into compensation issues involving bonuses the board said he authorized for himself without disclosure between 2018 and 2022.
Dr. Boutros has filed two lawsuits against the board and board Chair Vanessa Whiting. The first alleges violations of Ohio's Open Meetings Act and board bylaws and asks the court to nullify Dr. Boutros' termination for cause. The second lawsuit against MetroHealth alleges breach of contract.