2026 Health Care Summit: Leadership & Innovation

Edward Marx’s career spans clinical, military, technology, and executive leadership roles. He served as a U.S. Army combat medic and later as a combat engineer officer before moving into healthcare leadership. He has held C-suite positions at leading health systems, including the Cleveland Clinic, where he led enterprise IT modernization, cybersecurity strategy, and large-scale digital transformation initiatives. Marx also served as CEO of the consulting firm Divurgent, Global Chief Digital Officer for Tech Mahindra’s Health & Life Sciences division, and CIO of The Advisory Board, giving him a rare 360-degree perspective across both provider and supplier organizations. Today, he leads his own advisory practice and is a recognized author, speaker, and host of the globally ranked top-3% podcast DGTL Voices. He is also the bestselling author of Voices of Innovation and Healthcare Digital Transformation. 

Terence F. Moore is a highly respected health care executive and community leader with more than 30 years of experience in health system leadership. A prolific author, he has written, coauthored, or coedited nine books and more than 140 articles, including Lessons in Leadership and Career Survival. He served as president of MidMichigan Health System, where he led a major hospital network and earned numerous awards for his leadership and service. Recognized as a prominent community leader in Midland and across the Great Lakes Bay region, Moore holds advanced degrees in health administration and business and has made lasting contributions to health care, education, and philanthropy. 

Dr. Nicholas Cozzi is an MBA-trained, board-certified Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medical Services Physician who serves as the EMS & Disaster Medicine Medical Director and Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at Rush University Medical Center. He also acts as the Physician Medical Consultant to the Chicago Fire Department and the Online-Medical Control Physician for the Fire Department of New York City. Additionally, Dr. Cozzi is a Time Magazine contributor and has provided medical expertise on various national and international platforms including Good Morning America, NBC Nightline News, and The Today Show among others.  

Beth Charlton, BSN-RN, MSA, has served as President and CEO of Covenant HealthCare since 2021, having begun her healthcare career in 1989 as a student nurse at St. Luke’s Hospital, which became Covenant HealthCare in 1998. Over the years, she has held progressive leadership roles across nursing, critical care, women’s and children’s services, information technology, and system operations—including Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Operating Officer—gaining a comprehensive understanding of healthcare from direct patient care to executive leadership. Beth holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Saginaw Valley State University, and a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University. She actively serves on state, regional, and local boards dedicated to advancing healthcare quality, access, and innovation, and is committed to strengthening health outcomes and supporting extraordinary medical care in the Great Lakes Bay Region and beyond. 

Robert G. David, CPA, MBA, has been President and CEO of McLaren Central Michigan in Mt. Pleasant for four years, focusing on physician and advanced practice provider recruitment across primary, specialty, and surgical care. Under his leadership, the hospital has earned multiple “A” grades from Leapfrog and national recognition for quality metrics. Previously, he spent 25 years at University Hospitals in Cleveland, advancing from Senior Financial Analyst to President of two community hospitals recognized nationally for quality and patient experience. He began his career at KPMG and Lakewood Hospital and holds an MBA in Healthcare Management from Western Governors University. 

Dr. Lydia A. Watson, MD, is the President & CEO of MyMichigan Health, having stepped into the role on December 1, 2022, after a 26-year career with the organization. Board certified in obstetrics and gynecology, she previously served in key leadership positions including Chief Medical Officer and Chief Quality and Safety Officer and cared for thousands as an OB-GYN in the Great Lakes Bay Region. Dr. Watson holds degrees from Wayne State University and completed her residency in Saginaw, also serving six years in the Army National Guard. Active in her community, she currently serves on several boards and has been recognized with numerous awards for her service and leadership, including the Athena Award, YWCA Woman of the Year, and Northwood University’s Distinguished Women Award. Additionally, she is involved in coaching physician leaders through the American Association for Physician Leadership Capstone Cohort. 

Dr. Catherine Baase is a leader in population health and system change, with over 30 years at Dow, including 20 years as Chief Health Officer. She has received global recognition for her innovative health programs and has co-authored 50 publications. Dr. Baase founded and chaired the Michigan Health Improvement Alliance and serves on numerous advisory boards, including the University of Michigan and the NY Federal Reserve. She has played key roles in national initiatives focused on public health, business engagement, and policy, and is a Fellow of both the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine and the American Academy of Family Physicians. 

Dr. Derek Mydlarz is an accomplished healthcare executive with over 20 years of experience leading strategic initiatives and operational excellence across global healthcare organizations in both public and private sectors. Currently serving as Global Chief Medical Officer at Dow Chemical, he has previously held key leadership roles at GE Appliances and Humana Inc., and has served in the U.S. Army. Dr. Mydlarz specializes in value-based care delivery, innovative payment models, and occupational health, and is recognized for his commitment to advancing healthcare quality, equity, and outcomes through data-driven innovation.