UH Ahuja Leader Embraces Challenges

UH Clinical Update | March 2023

Marc Snelson, MD, loves his ski trips, but what he loves even more is his job as an OB-GYN. He’s been with the same practice based in Bedford for almost 30 years, with one of his original partners. In fact, he’s at the point now where he’s delivering the babies of babies he delivered in the 1990s.

Marc Snelson, MD

He says he chose OB-GYN as a specialty for its unique combination of surgical expertise and close-knit relationships with patients and their families.

“Being able to participate in delivery of a baby is like nothing else,” he says.

In his 28 years at UH, Dr. Snelson has taken on increasing leadership roles. He’s been part of various practice arrangements including independent, UHMG and UHMP, and also wanted to use his experience to positively influence strategic decisions in the health system. He gained leadership experience at UH Ahuja Medical Center, first as a member of the Peer Review Quality Committee, then as Chair, then as a member of the Medical Executive Committee, and now as the elected President of the Medical Staff.

He says he sees his role as being the voice of the physician.

“They sometimes describe power as how many people you can hire and fire and how much money you control. Being President of the Medical Staff, I don't do a lot of either of that,” he says. “But I get to be in the room when management is making those decisions so I can give the medical staff perspective. I actively listen and ask questions to make sure the decision is the right one for the medical staff. I integrated feedback from others into a cohesive plan. I continue to advocate for people who aren't in the room.”

Leadership Under Fire

Dr. Snelson truly flexed those leadership skills during the recent transitions at UH Bedford and UH Richmond, says Jessica Goldstein, MD, Chief Medical Officer at UH Ahuja.

“The regionals closure affected many members of UH Ahuja's medical staff, including Dr. Snelson's own OB-GYN practice in UH Bedford's office building,” she says. “He led difficult discussions with the OB-GYN service line at UH Ahuja, personally led tours of ambulatory care centers and successfully decanted lower acuity cases out of UH Ahuja. He modified his own schedule at UH Ahuja to consolidate OR time with his partner to create additional capacity in UH Ahuja's schedule. As we brought more residents to UH Ahuja to assist with UH Cleveland Medical Center’s surgery decant, he volunteered to be the surgery liaison for resident supervision accountability. His leadership style promotes a Speak-up Culture in the OR and improved interdisciplinary dialogue. Above all, he has led the medical staff here through turbulent times with thoughtfulness and calm.”

Dr. Snelson was recently recognized for this work with a “Dinner with the Doc” honor from UH CEO Cliff A. Megerian, MD, FACS, Jane and Henry Meyer Chief Executive Officer Distinguished Chair.

Dr. Snelson says one thing he finds especially rewarding about his leadership role at UH is helping the health system operate in a more integrated way – that “systemness” we hear so much about.

“In my middleman role, I try to help communicate the system strategy to the frontline teams, he says. “It can look clunky. It's difficult, but it is part of becoming a system. Communicating the meaning of systemness, and what that means on the ground, is the role I've taken at UH Bedford and here at UH Ahuja as well.”

“I consider myself the emcee of the Medical Executive Committee meeting, orchestrating and trying to move things along, but at the same time asking pertinent questions,” he adds. “I want it to be efficient. I don't want to run over time, but I want to get the information out and keep it engaging. When we conclude, I take those salient points and questions that I know I and others have, and put them out there to try and get the discussion going, so that all voices are heard.”

Dr. Goldstein, UH Ahuja’s CMO, credits Dr. Snelson’s leadership of this crucial committee, as well as his overall leadership of the hospital’s medical staff.

“Dr. Snelson leads the Medical Executive Committee meetings with a discerning eye and ear to influence positive changes in the care of our UH Ahuja patients,” she says. “He has led crucial conversations with challenging providers, and has been a key support for our Zero Harm service line safety committees. He seeks to understand and promotes open communication among the medical staff.”

For Dr. Snelson, this comes down to compassion and respect.

“I say to many colleagues that I feel like we give our patients quite a bit of leeway and compassion, and we sometimes don't do that for each other,” he says. “I really want to emphasize the fact that we should be caring for each other just the way we care for our patients.”

New Role at UH Ahuja

Next, Dr. Snelson will take on a new leadership role at UH Ahuja, as Medical Director of the new Steve and Loree Potash Women & Newborn Center.

“I think there's an incredible market out there,” he says. “We can serve families that have been looking to Akron or Hillcrest who are now going to be able to look to UH Ahuja for excellent OB care in their backyard,” he says. “I’m excited to be the Eastern gateway for women and children to enter the entire UH system.”

Dr. Goldstein says she’s excited to see what challenges Dr. Snelson takes on next.

“He is simply a superb UH leader who has distinguished himself in the past year and will continue to influence positive changes at UH Ahuja with Ahuja Phase 2,” she says.

To nominate a physician for this honor, please visit the UH Digital Workplace. The next deadline is March 31.