MetroHealth Adopts Dyad Leadership for Level 1 Trauma Center

Cleveland hospital system appoints two veteran doctors to lead trauma division under new management model.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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MetroHealth System, a four-hospital network in Cleveland, Ohio, is implementing a dyad leadership model at its level 1 trauma center. The system has appointed Nimitt Patel, MD, as medical administrative director and Laura Kreiner, MD, as medical clinical director to lead MetroHealth's division of trauma, critical care, burns and acute care surgery.

Why it matters

The dyad leadership model, which pairs a medical and administrative leader, is becoming more common in healthcare as a way to improve coordination and decision-making between clinical and operational priorities. MetroHealth's level 1 trauma center treats over 7,000 patients annually, making this an important strategic move for the hospital system.

The details

Drs. Patel and Kreiner have each worked at MetroHealth for over a decade as trauma surgeons and in various leadership roles in surgery and trauma. The dyad leadership structure is intended to leverage their combined expertise to enhance the trauma center's operations and patient care.

  • MetroHealth announced the new leadership model on February 17, 2026.

The players

Nimitt Patel, MD

Appointed as medical administrative director of MetroHealth's trauma division.

Laura Kreiner, MD

Appointed as medical clinical director of MetroHealth's trauma division.

MetroHealth System

A four-hospital network in Cleveland, Ohio, that is implementing a dyad leadership model at its level 1 trauma center.

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The takeaway

MetroHealth's adoption of the dyad leadership model for its high-volume trauma center reflects a broader industry trend toward integrating clinical and operational expertise to improve patient outcomes and hospital performance.