LifeBridge Health President and CEO Neil Meltzer Announces Plans to Retire
Search Begins for Successor to Lead Maryland Health System
Baltimore, March 13, 2025 – Neil Meltzer, president and CEO of LifeBridge Health, has announced his plan to retire following more than 12 years at the helm of one of Maryland’s leading health systems and more than 37 years of dedicated service to the organization. The LifeBridge Health Board of Directors is launching a national search for Meltzer’s successor to ensure a smooth leadership transition. Meltzer will continue to serve as president and CEO until his successor assumes the role.
“LifeBridge Health is more than a workplace—it’s a community of passionate healthcare professionals dedicated to delivering high-quality, compassionate care,” says Meltzer. “Leading this incredible team has been a privilege, and I am so proud of the thriving, community-focused health system we’ve built together.”
He adds, “One of a CEO’s most vital responsibilities is ensuring an organization’s long-term success. Announcing my retirement now allows ample time to find the right leader for LifeBridge Health’s next chapter.”
Under Meltzer’s leadership, LifeBridge Health has grown into one of Maryland’s most respected and comprehensive health systems, expanding services, enhancing care quality and forging impactful community partnerships. With a guiding vision to Care Bravely and lead with compassion, the now $2.2 billion nonprofit system has doubled in size during Meltzer’s tenure, including the addition of Carroll Hospital and Grace Medical Center. With more than 130 sites across the region, LifeBridge Health takes care of hundreds of thousands of patients each year in more than two million patient encounters.
“The LifeBridge Health Board of Directors is deeply grateful to Neil for his extraordinary leadership and lasting impact on our organization and community,” says Lee Coplan, Board chairman. “Neil’s vision, compassion and commitment to our mission have not only expanded our reach and improved care but also fostered a culture of innovation and teamwork. As we begin the search for our next CEO, we are confident that LifeBridge Health will continue to thrive, building on the strong foundation Neil has helped establish.”
LifeBridge Health has broadened its network to meet a full spectrum of healthcare needs, ensuring comprehensive care for individuals at every stage of life. A key component of this strategy is the Partners Division, which extends LifeBridge Health’s reach into ambulance transport, in-home care, physical therapy, medical supplies and more. These services include ExpressCare Urgent Care Centers, Nation’s Home Care, Pulse Ambulance, Springwell Senior Living and BridgingLife, a hospice and palliative care organization.
“Neil has led LifeBridge Health with a bold vision, creating seamless connections across the continuum of care—from a fitness and wellness center to long-term and specialty care,” says Coplan. “His leadership has strengthened our ability to serve our community holistically.”
While LifeBridge Health has seen significant growth, Meltzer has remained steadfast in addressing the broader social factors impacting health. His background in public health informs every business decision, ensuring the organization remains committed to tackling key social determinants affecting people’s health.
“Health extends beyond medical care—it’s also about access to food, transportation and stable housing, among other factors,” Meltzer explains. “I am incredibly proud of LifeBridge Health’s leadership in taking innovative approaches to these challenges, from our diabetes home extender program to pastoral care outreach, our Care Happens Here mobile unit and more. Our teams work daily in our communities, meeting people where they are to provide support, education and connections to essential services.”
LifeBridge Health has a history of addressing complex health challenges. Its Center for Hope serves as a national model for integrating services to prevent and intervene in cases of violence. The Family Tree joined LifeBridge Health in 2022, further strengthening the system’s commitment to child abuse prevention and family support.
LifeBridge Health has also been a national leader in addressing gun violence through a public health lens. In 2024, Meltzer was twice invited to the White House by the Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Later that year, LifeBridge Health launched the “Stop the Iron Pipeline” initiative to raise awareness about illegal firearms trafficking and its impact on communities.
“Along with our compassionate, world-class patient care, I am proud of our many innovative initiatives—partnering with barbershops, churches, schools and other community groups to address health disparities and cultivate the next generation of healthcare professionals,” Meltzer says. “Building on our strong foundation in medical research and training, including clinical trials and respected residency programs, we are now training the next generation of doctors through our Regional Medical Campus with George Washington University.”
He concludes, “At LifeBridge Health, we’ve worked to redefine what a community health system can be. Our greatest success is fulfilling our mission to improve the health of people in the communities we serve.”
Meltzer joined Sinai Hospital of Baltimore in 1988 and held several leadership roles before becoming president and chief operating officer a decade later. His key accomplishments include establishing Centers of Excellence in pediatrics, orthopedics, neurology, cancer, ophthalmology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and cardiology. He became CEO of LifeBridge Health in 2013.
Beyond LifeBridge Health, Meltzer has demonstrated a commitment to civic leadership and public service. On a national level, he currently chairs the Advisory Panel on Outreach and Education for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and has held national leadership roles with the American Heart Association. He also serves on the boards of the Greater Baltimore Committee, the Maryland Hospital Association, United WE, the Get Well Network and the Hippodrome Foundation. Additionally, he holds advisory roles at Tulane University’s School of Public Health and Notre Dame of Maryland University.
Meltzer’s contributions have earned widespread recognition. The Maryland Daily Record has named him one of the state’s “Most Admired CEOs” and an “Influential Marylander,” and he was included in the publication’s top 15 business leaders for three consecutive years. The Baltimore Business Journal named him a “Power 10 CEO.” He has also been inducted into the Baltimore Sun’s Civic Hall of Fame and was named “Industrialist of the Year” by the Baltimore Museum of Industry.
The Board of Directors has established a search committee, led by Coplan, and engaged executive search firm WittKieffer to guide the selection process. The Board and Meltzer are committed to a seamless transition.
“We are confident that LifeBridge Health will continue to thrive under new leadership,” says Coplan. “Our priority is ensuring that the strong foundation Neil has built continues to support our mission for years to come.”
About LifeBridge Health
LifeBridge Health is one of Maryland’s largest and most comprehensive healthcare organizations, dedicated to high-quality care, compassion, and innovation. The system operates hospitals, outpatient centers and community-based programs to improve individual and family health. LifeBridge Health includes Sinai Hospital, Northwest Hospital, Carroll Hospital, Grace Medical Center and Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital, along with affiliated subsidiaries and units such as LifeBridge Health & Fitness. With more than 14,000 employees and a vast physician network, LifeBridge Health provides a full continuum of care. For more information: lifebridgehealth.org
Contact
Maryellen Mooney, 212-576-2700 x 7255, mmooney@goodmanmedia.com