Dr. Wael Barsoum, President and Chief Transformation Officer of HOPCo and former CEO of Cleveland Clinic Florida, on Successful Leadership

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to transform a single community hospital into a nationally recognized, multi-billion-dollar healthcare system and then redefine musculoskeletal care across an entire country? In this episode of Beyond the Scalpel with Dr. Mamun Al Rashid, Dr. Wael Barsoum shares his extraordinary journey from world-renowned orthopedic surgeon and innovator to one of the most influential healthcare executives in America. As the former CEO of Cleveland Clinic Florida and now President & Chief Transformation Officer of HOPCo (Healthcare Outcomes Performance Company), Dr. Barsoum discusses how visionary leadership, strategic thinking, and a relentless commitment to patient-centered care helped reshape healthcare delivery. From performing hundreds of complex joint replacements and earning more than 50 patents to leading hospitals through rapid expansion and the COVID-19 pandemic, his story offers invaluable lessons for physicians, executives, entrepreneurs, and future healthcare leaders alike. Dr. Barsoum also explains why healthcare must move beyond volume-based medicine toward value-based care, how artificial intelligence and predictive analytics will improve patient experiences, and what the future holds for orthopedic surgery and healthcare innovation. Whether you're a surgeon, healthcare professional, medical student, executive, or simply passionate about transforming healthcare, this conversation is packed with practical leadership insights, inspiring stories, and a compelling vision for the future. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Wael Barsoum 01:51 Early Influences and Calling to Medicine 04:11 Experience as an Orthopedic Surgeon 07:12 Innovation in Orthopedic Surgery 09:27 Navigating Compliance and Regulatory Landscape 10:58 Transitioning to Executive Leadership 14:36 Scaling Cleveland Clinic Florida 19:15 Building and Maintaining a Strong Team 21:26 Setting the Cultural Tone in Leadership 22:44 Decisive Leadership in Healthcare 25:55 Navigating Challenges as a Leader 28:49 Personal Resilience and Communication 32:16 Transforming MSK Care: From Volume to Value 36:02 Implementing Value-Based Care 38:08 The Role of Technology in Healthcare 41:28 Future of Orthopedics and Healthcare Delivery 42:37 Advice for Future Surgeons If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and Share to stay updated with more conversations featuring leaders who are shaping the future of medicine and healthcare. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to Like, Subscribe, and Share for more conversations with world-renowned physicians, innovators, and healthcare leaders on Beyond the Scalpel with Dr. Mamun AlRashid. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Beyond the Scalpel, Dr. Mamun AlRashid, or its affiliated organizations. This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Follow us: Official Website: https://palmbeachregenerativeorthopedics.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeyondTheScalpel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyond.the_scalpel/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Beyond.The_Scalpel LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyond-the-scalpel-with-dr-alrashid/ X: https://x.com/BeyondTheScalpe Threads: https://www.threads.com/@beyond.the_scalpel TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.the_scalpel Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/BeyondTheScalpel1/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033Aj8vvEr7Pz9Se02Yo1F?si=7ac5299e36ce4f5f Beyond the Scalpel is produced by Palm Beach Media Productions.