It is the first Power 50 recognition for all three men.

Two members of the , Christopher Dischinger and John Hollenbach, also are among those recognized.

For the sixth consecutive year, Business First has published the list of 50 most influential business and civic leaders in the region. Louisville Business First selected honorees from individuals nominated by the public and those covered in the publication’s own reporting and sourcing. It does not include elected officials. The 5 on the Rise class recognizes emerging influential leaders.

Bradley assumed leadership of UofL in March after serving as executive vice president and university provost and dean of the UofL School of Dentistry. Since taking the helm at UofL, Bradley has overseen the completion of the , the opening of the Engineering Student Success and Research Building and surpassing 25,000 enrolled students for the first time in the university’s history.

In his State of the University address on Feb. 12, Bradley highlighted goals for UofL, including a focus on further improvements in enrollment, six-year retention rates, degrees offered and experiential learning opportunities. He intends to prioritize new residence halls and academic research facilities.

“I am grateful to lead this great university and amplify its positive impact on the city of Louisville,” Bradley said. “It is an honor to be recognized by Business First in the Power 50 2026, particularly after less than a year in my role as president of UofL.”

Since being named director of athletics in 2022, Heird also has had some significant wins. He hired Jeff Brohm to lead the football program and Pat Kelsey to take the reins of men’s basketball. In the 2024-25 season, ten UofL teams earned a top-25 ranking and 11 programs earned trips to the postseason.��

Under Heird’s leadership, student-athlete academic success has been a priority. Last semester closed with an overall department GPA of 3.431��— with 18 of 19 sports above 3.2. UofL athletes are also winning with a 96% graduation success rate.��

Jason Smith, chief executive officer of UofL Health, was named CEO of the health system in October after serving most recently as its interim CEO and chief medical officer. In December, he oversaw the opening of the $186 million, seven-story .

The honorees will be profiled in the March 27, 2026, print edition of Louisville Business First, and online around that time.

“Dr. Smith is ideally suited for this next evolution for UofL Health,” said Gerry Bradley, University of Louisville president and UofL Health board chair. “He is a trusted leader within the organization, among colleagues and throughout the community. That, along with his clinical and administrative expertise, provides a unique skillset to lead our system and the team to deliver the best care to those we serve.”

“I am both humbled and honored to lead this team – one built on a foundation of academic excellence, compassionate care and community partnership – working each day to better the health of the communities and commonwealth we serve,” Smith said. “Over the past decade, I have witnessed firsthand the extraordinary dedication of our physicians, nurses, staff and academic partners. Together, we have faced some of the most complex challenges in modern health care, yet through our shared mission, we have continued to expand access, improve outcomes, and strengthen our system for the patients and families who depend on us. This is a pivotal time for UofL Health and for the commonwealth we serve. I am inspired by what we have accomplished and energized by what lies ahead. Together, we will continue to build a stronger, more resilient and more innovative health system for the future of Kentucky.”

Smith joined the faculty at the UofL School of Medicine in 2008 after completing medical school and residency at The Ohio State University. He earned his PhD in physiology and biophysics from the University of Louisville and received a Master of Business Administration from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. He is board-certified in general surgery and critical care. He was recently awarded the Paragon Award from the Greater Louisville Medical Society for outstanding contributions to health care leadership, advocacy for gun violence victims and his commitment to the education of future physicians.

As CEO of UofL Health, Smith will lead a regional academic health system made up of nine hospitals, four medical centers, Brown Cancer Center and Eye Institute. UofL Health has 250 locations in Kentucky and Southern Indiana, with more than 1,200 providers. With his appointment, UofL Health becomes the only physician-led health system in the region.

“As a combined system, UofL Health has had a tremendous impact in a short period of time. As we transition into our new future, our focus will remain clear: to sustain our financial health, support our workforce, and advance our academic mission so that every patient receives the highest quality of care—close to home, from a team that reflects the very best of this community,” Smith said.

According to the , more than 750,000 people in the U.S. will have a stroke each year. In Kentucky, strokes are the fifth leading cause of death, underscoring their significant impact both locally and nationally.

Recognizing the urgent need for improved therapies, and the University of Louisville are actively participating in a pivotal clinical trial known as the . This study focuses on patients who come to the emergency department 4.5 to 24 hours after the onset of an ischemic stroke and who are not candidates for standard treatment methods, such as previously approved clot-dissolving medications or mechanical interventions.

Upon arrival, patients undergo a comprehensive evaluation and advanced imaging to determine eligibility. If they meet all criteria, they may be enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to receive one of five doses of the investigational drug TS23, a type of clot-dissolving drug, or a placebo. The treatment is delivered through a single 20-minute infusion, followed by close monitoring and imaging at 30 hours post-treatment, with additional follow-up evaluations at 30 and 90 days to assess outcomes and recovery.

a neurosurgeon with , a part of , and associate professor in the Department of Neurological Surgery at the , leads the study at the Louisville site.

“By bringing this trial here, we are creating an opportunity for patients in town to get access to cutting-edge therapies that they otherwise could not access and at time windows during a stroke that typically prohibit them from getting a treatment drug. That is exciting,” Abecassis said.

Through innovative research initiatives like the SISTER trial, and UofL School of Medicine are working to enhance recovery, reduce long-term neurological damage and expand access to advanced stroke care. These efforts create opportunities for more personalized treatment, offering hope to patients and their families facing the life-altering effects of stroke.

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of a stroke is crucial. The acronym BE FAST can help you remember the most common warning signs:

• Balance lost – sudden loss of balance or coordination
• Eyes blur – sudden trouble seeing or blurred vision in one or both eyes
• Face drooping – one side of the face droops or is numb
• Arm weakness – sudden weakness or numbness of an arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Speech difficulty – sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech
• Time – note the time the symptoms started and call 911 immediately

If you or someone around you experiences any of these symptoms, seek emergency medical care right away. Quick action can make a significant difference in treatment and recovery.

By Allison Dulin, UofL Health

The largest of these gifts, a $3 million investment��in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at��,��will help create eight new private family rooms designed to improve outcomes for medically fragile newborns.

“Through their investment in UofL and UofL Health, Kosair for Kids makes it possible for us to provide critical care to pediatric patients and their families—from the NICU, to Frazier Rehab��Institute, to the School of Dentistry,” said University of Louisville President and Chair of the UofL Health Board of Directors Gerry Bradley. “Family-centered care is proven to improve outcomes, and these investments will truly change lives. We are honored to join Kosair for Kids in making this care possible for the children of our region.”

Each year, the NICU at UofL Hospital provides care for more than 400 newborns, with nearly 90% coming from low-income households.��The NICU expansion will convert outdated open-bay nursery space into private rooms, allowing parents to stay with their infants, strengthening family bonds and supporting improved medical outcomes.

“We are deeply grateful to Kosair for Kids for their extraordinary generosity and continued partnership with UofL Health and UofL. This investment in our NICU is transformational,” said UofL Health Interim CEO Jason Smith. “It means more families can remain together during critical moments of care and more babies will have the best possible chance at a healthy start. Thanks to Kosair for Kids, we can extend hope and healing to the youngest and most vulnerable in our community.”

In addition to the NICU expansion, Kosair for Kids will also be supporting two additional initiatives:

• $47,300 to����to purchase specialized pediatric rehabilitation equipment, including the Bioness L300 Go Plus System, which helps children with neurological conditions strengthen mobility and independence.
• $50,000 to the , ensuring children and families experiencing financial hardship continue to receive essential oral health services.

For more than a century, Kosair for Kids has been dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of children in Kentucky and southern Indiana. These latest gifts build on its longstanding collaboration with UofL and UofL Health, helping ensure every child has the best opportunity to grow, heal and thrive.

Since its inception, the WHAS Crusade for Children has provided nearly $20 million in grant support to UofL and , fueling groundbreaking research, innovative education and expanded access to high-quality care for children with special needs.

This year, that legacy of generosity continues with more than $325,000 in new awards supporting programs and equipment that directly improve the lives of children and their families:

• $200,000 for new equipment in�� Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
• $50,000 for equipment at
• $22,500 for equipment in the��
• $30,000 to support the UofL��
• $22,000 for special education scholarships in UofL’s

This support has touched nearly every corner of the university — from classrooms to clinics, and from local outreach programs to statewide initiatives — making a lasting impact on Kentucky’s most vulnerable children and their families.

“On behalf of the University of Louisville, I extend heartfelt thanks to the WHAS Crusade for Children for their extraordinary generosity and decades of unwavering support,” said��Jeffrey Bumpous, UofL executive vice president of health affairs and medical school dean. “Together, we are transforming lives, strengthening families and building a brighter future for children throughout the commonwealth.”

The latest investment from the Crusade will further elevate UofL and UofL Health’s ability to educate the next generation of health professionals and expand innovative care to more children and families in need.

“The partnership between the WHAS Crusade for Children and the University of Louisville is proof that this community’s generosity truly changes lives,” said Dawn Lee, president and CEO of WHAS Crusade for Children. “UofL continues to transform grants into care, research and education that make life better for children with identified needs. This legacy has opened doors for generations of children, and the best is yet to come.”

For more than 30 years, the partnership has not only brought critical resources to special needs children, but has also helped advance UofL’s and UofL Health’s missions of improving the quality of life for the communities they serve.

“This enduring partnership demonstrates the power of philanthropy and collaboration,” said UofL Health Interim CEO Jason Smith. “From education and research to compassionate, hands-on care, the WHAS Crusade for Children’s generosity has improved lives across the Commonwealth.”

Frazier ranked No. 40 in Best Hospitals for Rehabilitation in U.S. News’ latest edition of the annual Best Hospitals report. This year, U.S. News announced across 49 states and 95 metro areas that have demonstrated superior outcomes.

“We could not be more honored to receive this recognition,” said Dan Hudson, CEO, UofL Health – Frazier Rehabilitation Institute. “Being named a U.S. News Top Rehab Hospital and the No. 1 rehab hospital in Kentucky reflects the exceptional patient care our team provides. They truly care about what they do and about the patients they serve – you don’t find that everywhere.”

U.S. News evaluated more than 4,400 hospitals across 15 adult specialties and 22 procedures and conditions; only 13% of evaluated hospitals earned a Best Hospitals designation.

“Helping patients regain their lives with hope and dignity is the focus for our providers and employees, and we get some pretty amazing results,” said Darryl Kaelin, MD, medical director at Frazier Rehab Institute. “Being a part of UofL Health, Frazier Rehab is part of a larger academic environment encouraging a greater focus on more aggressive research and cutting edge-treatment.

To determine the , U.S. News analyzed each hospital’s performance based on objective measures such as risk-adjusted mortality rates, preventable complications and level of nursing care. The Best Hospitals and measure patient outcomes using data from over 800 million records of patient care.

“For more than three decades, U.S. News has been an invaluable guide for patients,” said Managing Editor and Chief of Health Analysis Ben Harder at U.S. News. “With a ‘Best Hospital’ recognition, Americans, in consultation with their medical providers, can confidently choose a regional hospital known for providing superior care for their specific illness or condition.”

Recently, UofL’s School of Medicine, the academic partner of UofL Health, also ranked among the best in the nation through the U.S. News & World Report 2025 edition of Best Graduate Schools.

For more information about patient services, visit .

Now, the Charlottesville native is finding that his new life mission is calling him back to Louisville, this time to campus as a PhD student in UofL’s����

“After rehab, it was a soul-searching moment for me,” said Jones. “I had to realize or redefine what my purpose was, and why I believe I was put here.”��

A public speaking engagement at UofL Health – UofL Hospital about his journey back to wellness became a turning point for Jones. “The impact it had on the people I spoke to resonated with me and so I am continuing to pull that thread to see what happens,” he said.��

Jones, who completed his master’s degree in educational psychology at University of Virginia, said after researching��UofL’s PhD program in��, he knew his next step and the right space to do it. Jones remembered how he and his family felt embraced by UofL Health and the local community.

“It spoke volumes about the type of city Louisville is,” said Jones. “This has been one of those rare moments that checked all the boxes – the community, people and academic pursuit were all exactly what I desired.”��

Jones hopes to create a global non-profit working with kids from disadvantaged backgrounds, like the one where he grew up. “It was a very impoverished area with few opportunities for individuals in those spaces,” he said. “I always wanted to better understand the mental struggles and stresses and learn more about the trauma of my childhood. How would it be to pay that forward to the younger generation so they don’t have to face the same hurdles?”

A bit of a Renaissance man, Jones is not only a scholar and an athlete, but a writer and musician, as well. His memoir will be published in November, and in addition to beginning his new doctoral program at UofL, Jones plans to take on more speaking engagements to share his story. “I want to build upon that because I just feel like I have an opportunity to really impact a lot of people’s lives,” he said.��

“Dr. Smith is a distinguished physician and leader, uniquely positioned to continue the momentum of UofL Health,” Gerry Bradley, University of Louisville president, said. “His combination of clinical experience, innovative leadership and consensus building is well known among our team and colleagues across the nation. I look forward to the impact he will have on the health of our community and commonwealth.”

Smith has served as CMO for UofL Health since its inception in November 2019 and served as CMO for UofL Health – UofL Hospital from 2017 to 2019. He has been a member of the University of Louisville School of Medicine faculty since 2008.

“I strongly believe in the mission of UofL Health,” Smith shared. “Being able to serve our organization in this role is exciting and I look forward to continuing to work alongside our team to provide quality, patient-centered care to our community. I want to thank former CEO, Tom Miller, for his leadership and the UofL Health Board for this opportunity.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Smith led the health system’s response and served as an expert voice throughout Kentuckiana and the commonwealth.

Last year, he was awarded the Paragon Award from the Greater Louisville Medical Society for his outstanding contributions to health care leadership, advocacy for gun violence victims and his commitment to the education of future physicians.

Smith earned his undergraduate degree in chemistry from Wright State University before completing his��medical��degree��at��The��Ohio��State��University. He completed his residency in��surgery at The Ohio State University before joining the University of Louisville. Smith earned his Ph.D. in physiology and biophysics from UofL in 2012. He received a master of business administration from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University in 2019. He is board-certified in general surgery and critical care by the American Board of Surgery.

For more information on the UofL Health, visit: .

About UofL Health

UofL Health is a not-for-profit (501(c)(3)) fully integrated regional academic health system with nine hospitals, four medical centers, Brown Cancer Center, Eye Institute, more than 250 physician practice locations, and more than 1,200 providers in Louisville and the surrounding counties, including southern Indiana. Additional access to UofL Health is provided through a partnership with Carroll County Memorial Hospital.

��Affiliated with the University of Louisville School of Medicine, UofL Health is committed to providing patients with access to the most advanced care available. This includes clinical trials, collaboration on research and the development of new technologies to both save and improve lives. With more than 14,000 team members – physicians, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists and other highly-skilled healthcare��professionals, UofL Health is focused on one mission: to transform the health of communities we serve through compassionate, innovative, patient-centered care. For more information on UofL Health, go to .

CTAC, who has been working since 2020 to rally faith leaders in this effort, is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit whose mission is to be a voice and improve lives for the 12 million people impacted by serious illness, including their families and caregivers.

Effort tackles health care barriers

With CTAC support, the Trager Institute’s Louisville Community of Care Project – Community Health Worker Initiative to Promote Health Equity (LCCP-CHWPHE) was launched earlier this year with funding from the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky to address health disparities in this vulnerable 40203 zip code.

“LCCP is a collaborative effort of more than 15 community partners assembling their collective resources,” said Barbara Gordon, director of community engagement at the Trager Institute. “The church, major hospitals, and community resources are joining forces for the greater good of the people.”

This pilot program employs a dedicated neighborhood community health worker whose aim is to enhance the quality of life for residents through care navigation and community-based support. LCCP’s goal is to enroll 100 residents into the program by the end of 2025. So far, the initiative has offered health screenings and fairs to offer information and resources for 40203 residents.

Connecting the public to resources

Selected for her new role in June 2024 from her paraprofessional community health worker apprenticeship program at Trager Institute, LCCP coordinator Charlie Bell works as a liaison and advocate to improve access to primary care, support early diagnosis, reduce ER visits and address social determinants of health for clients.

With neighborhood input, factors like food, transportation and housing were identified as the most pressing hurdles to health care access and other quality of life issues. LCCP has gathered health care, business and nonprofit partners who can span the spectrum of social services.��

As the point of contact and liaison to connect patients to resources, Bell explained there needs to be more “warm handoffs.”

“We may do a referral through an electronic medical record like MyChart but if it’s someone who doesn’t have an internet connection or doesn’t know how to use the computer, it’s a huge barrier. If we didn’t have the community of care project, then this would never be brought to light.”

Faith leaders fill the trust gap

Historically, one of the biggest challenges for community outreach efforts has been residents’ distrust of health care providers, according to Bell, but leveraging the community’s established relationships with faith leaders is helping to mitigate that factor.

Bell is working with Elder Angela Overton and faith project leads Rev. Dr. Angela Johnson, Rev. Lance West and Pastor Alma Wooley to keep 40203 residents from falling through the cracks of health care and social services access.

Overton, community engagement director for LCCP, and senior advisor and director of Faith Community Partnerships for CTAC said they hand-picked local faith leaders already working beyond the church walls in the local community. “No matter what your religion or if you have a religion, if you are struggling to navigate life with illness or chronic disease, we want to help you.”

The challenge of health inequities

An important overall framework for LCCP identifies stress and health inequities among African Americans, a key demographic of the 40203-zip code. Bell uses this context to address the social determinants of health while working to dismantle structural barriers that perpetuate health disparities.

“We’re still dealing with access to health care issues, mistrust in medical staff and discrimination like we did in the ‘60s and ‘70s,” said Bell. “It’s surprising that these things are still happening in 2025.”

As a strategic planner, Overton works at the intersection of health care, spiritual care and clinical care, and said she has been shocked at the apathy she has seen in some community settings. “The system does not work for everyone, and the disheartening message I hear in boardrooms and executive meetings is that is just how it is,” said Overton. “But this project from the beginning has made profound impacts on this community.” ��Increasing a neighborhood’s access to health care changes lives, adds Bell.

“What may seem like a simple fix or a few phone calls can change the world for a client. Getting an electric wheelchair to someone who was bedridden for three years changed the mobility for one client. She told me, ‘You saved my life, thank you for saving my life’ – you can’t get any higher than that,” Bell said.

LCCP community partners include:

AARP, Accessia Health, Archangels, CenterWell, Chrysalis Ventures, Gilda’s Club, KIPDA, Norton Healthcare, University of Louisville, University of Louisville Trager Institute.

The space features eight cooking stations where health care professionals and students will learn culinary medicine, a growing field that integrates nutrition science with practical culinary skills that can lead to improved health, including better management and prevention of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease.

The kitchen supports the mission of the Trager Institute/Republic Bank Foundation Optimal Aging Clinic, which is dedicated to enhancing the lives of older adults in Kentucky through innovative, age-friendly health care practices. The Culinary Medicine Kitchen, located in the institute’s East Market St. facility, will host physicians, trainees, medical students and other health care providers for hands-on demonstrations that will help them guide patients to better health through healthy eating. The kitchen also will host nutrition-focused cooking demonstrations for the community.

“This wonderful educational venue is an outstanding example of our dedication to advancing medical education and community health, reinforcing our role as a leader in integrating innovative practices into health care training,” said UofL President Gerry Bradley. “It also highlights the Trager Institute’s distinctive approach and dedication to ensuring that older adults across Kentucky receive the care and support they deserve with dignity and compassion.”

The UofL School of Medicine joins 60 other medical schools in using the American College of Culinary Medicine curriculum to train health care professionals to understand and communicate the impact of good nutrition on their patients’ health. At UofL, the kitchen will serve as a vital resource for the Schools of Medicine, Public Health and Information Sciences, Nursing, Social Work and others, supporting their mission to train future and current health care providers and advisors in the role of nutrition in patient health.

“Research shows that good nutrition not only promotes overall health and well-being but also plays a crucial role in preventing and managing chronic diseases,” said Joe D’Ambrosio, director of behavioral health at the Trager Institute. “The Culinary Medicine Kitchen will help bridge the gap between what we know about nutrition and the practice of medicine.”

The Culinary Medicine Kitchen was created with support from GE Appliances, a Haier company, which donated state-of-the-art appliances for the buildout. Features such as an overhead camera and large-screen TVs in the kitchen give learners a bird’s-eye view of techniques for engaging, informative demonstrations. Integrated technology also enables live remote classes as well video recording to create enduring resources for sharing with patients and health professionals online.

Improving health for older adults

Beyond the kitchen, new and renewed funding for workforce training and support services has allowed the Trager Institute to expand its mission to improve the quality of life for older adults across the state. The institute has increased its age and dementia-friendly care and support services, particularly in underserved and rural areas to improve care for the Kentucky’s rapidly aging population.

Last year, the institute received $5 million from the Health Resources and Services Administration through the Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP), the third consecutive GWEP grant awarded to the institute, following grants in 2015 and 2019.

The new funding allowed the institute to establish FlourishCare Centers of Excellence in the , Cumberland Valley and Barren River regions of Kentucky, bringing together experts from universities, health care providers, community organizations and local governments to improve how care is provided to older adults. Their goal is to ensure health care professionals have the specialized knowledge needed to care for aging adults and to help them stay independent, maintain their dignity and improve their overall well-being.

“By connecting different systems — hospitals, nursing homes, senior care programs and government services — the centers foster a coordinated approach to health care, ensuring that older adults, including those with Alzheimer’s and other memory-related conditions receive continuous and well-organized support, whether they are at home, in a hospital or in a care facility,” said Anna Faul, executive director of the Trager Institute.

In addition, the institute’s Republic Bank Foundation Optimal Aging Clinic was selected as a UofL Health demonstration site for the (GUIDE) model by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services. This national initiative is focused on improving communication between primary care providers and specialists, provides educational resources and emotional support for caregivers, offers respite care and ensures health equity for dementia patients and their families. It is provided at no cost to eligible participants.

The Trager Institute also is expanding its FlourishCare initiative that supports vulnerable older adults with diabetes, depression and dementia, as well as their caregivers thanks to a $600,000 grant over four years from the Administration for Community Living. FlourishCare services aim to improve health outcomes and access to care for those in underserved areas of Kentucky, including:

• BRI Care Consultation:��Supports people with dementia and their caregivers by addressing unmet needs, reducing stress and alleviating depression
• Diabetes Self-Management Program:��Empowers participants to manage their diabetes effectively
• Program to Encourage Active Rewarding Lives for Seniors:��Helps older adults manage and reduce symptoms of depression

To see more images from the ribbon cutting, visit the .

Matt Willinger contributed to this story.