Neil Meltzer, President & CEO of LifeBridge Health, Honored as Executive of the Year
The Baltimore Business Journal has named LifeBridge Health President and CEO Neil Meltzer as its 2026 “Executive of the Year,” recognizing his long and transformational career leading one of Maryland’s largest health systems. Meltzer will retire later this year after nearly 38 years with the organization, including 13 years as CEO.
“I’m truly honored to be recognized by the Baltimore Business Journal with this inaugural Executive of the Year award,” says Meltzer. “LifeBridge Health’s mission is to improve the health of people in our communities, and I am privileged to work alongside 14,000 LifeBridge Health team members who work tirelessly to advance that mission each and every day. Along with our role in caring for individuals and families, we also recognize our civic responsibility as an employer, business partner and anchor organization, so to be recognized by the greater business community is particularly meaningful.”
According to the newspaper, the “Executive of the Year award recognizes a local executive who has moved their company, industry and the region forward in a positive way.” Meltzer will be recognized alongside 20 other executives from public, private and nonprofit sectors from across the Greater Baltimore region. The editors of the Baltimore Business Journal select the Executive of the Year.
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 as CEO including the addition of Carroll Hospital and Grace Medical Center.
While LifeBridge Health has seen significant growth, Meltzer has remained steadfast in addressing the broader social factors impacting health. LifeBridge Health has partnerships with barbershops, churches, schools and other community groups to address issues affecting people’s health. Its Center for Hope is a national model for integrating services to prevent and intervene in cases of violence. LifeBridge Health has been a national leader in addressing gun violence through a public health lens, such as the award-winning Stop the Iron Pipeline initiative to raise awareness about illegal firearms trafficking and its impact on communities.
In recognition of LifeBridge Health’s comprehensive community initiatives, the American Hospital Association last year named the health system as one of four finalists for the national and prestigious Foster G. McGaw award, which honors health systems that have distinguished themselves through efforts to improve the health and well-being of people in their communities.
Under Meltzer’s leadership, LifeBridge Health has focused on expanding healthcare training and education opportunities, such as the Regional Medical Campus (RMC) with George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. This RMC affords the opportunity for medical students to train in a community-focused health system while introducing them to the professional opportunities available in Baltimore upon graduation.
Meltzer and the other executives will be honored at a ceremony on March 18 at the Sagamore Pendry in Baltimore.
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