With more than 25 years of experience in healthcare management, Victoria W. Bayless leads Luminis Health as CEO. Bayless joined Anne Arundel Medical Center in December 2005 as vice president of clinical and support services, advancing to chief operating officer in 2006, president and COO in September 2009, and CEO in 2011.

Her career began at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, where she served in several roles beginning in 1993, most recently as vice president of clinical services. Bayless holds a Bachelor of Science from Tufts University and a Master of Health Services Administration from the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

With nearly three decades of experience in direct patient care and executive leadership, Cheryl Cioffi serves as president and CEO of Frederick Health, a role she assumed July 1, 2025. A Doctor of Nursing Practice graduate of the University of Maryland, Baltimore, Cioffi previously served the health system as chief nursing officer, chief operating officer and chief administrative officer.

A fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, she is active in the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Carroll Creek, where she co-chairs the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee.

What is the biggest challenge facing your industry today?

The biggest challenge facing hospitals in Maryland and across the country is delivering high-quality and timely care while navigating continued workforce shortages and sustained cost pressures that reimbursement does not always cover.

Despite these challenges, I am optimistic because our mission is clear, and our team is exceptional. We will continue facing these challenges together to deliver the safe, compassionate care our community depends on.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

One of the best pieces of advice I have ever been given is, “No matter what you choose to do, just be the best, and be happy doing it.” My father always said that to me. That mindset has motivated me in every role I’ve had and pushed me to work hard, keep learning and bring my best each day. I’ve shared that with others who have come to me for direction or career advice.

How do you define success?

I define success as achieving a goal where everyone who played a part feels really proud of the outcome.

A background in mass communications laid the foundation for Melissa Clark’s career connecting rural communities to healthcare resources. Clark serves as CEO of AHEC West, the Maryland Area Health Education Center West, a Cumberland-based nonprofit with 40 employees focused on reducing healthcare workforce shortages across Western Maryland.

She holds a Master of Public Administration in healthcare management from Grand Canyon University and is pursuing a Master of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley. Clark was named to The Daily Record’s Top 100 Women in Maryland in 2026 and received White House Challenge to Save Lives recognition in 2024. She serves as president of the Maryland Rural Health Association and board chair of Potomac Highlands United Way.

What is the biggest challenge facing your industry today?

The biggest challenge facing our industry today is sustainability at scale — meeting increasing community needs while building the workforce, funding structures and cross-sector partnerships necessary to sustain impact long term. This includes workforce shortages, inconsistent reimbursement and funding models, growing behavioral health and social needs, and the challenge of aligning healthcare, public health and community-based systems to work together more effectively.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

Always say “thank you” to your employees. A small thank you means the world to them.

Also, a wise mentor once told me, “As a strong female leader, you have to rise above the fray, but do not take any s— from anyone.”

How do you define success?

In the nonprofit world, it is not about money! We are underpaid and overworked. But that is why anyone in this realm of work loves it. It is impactful. It is creating a real-world impact that is sustainable. It means helping move good ideas into action, building strong partnerships and developing programs or systems that improve lives long after the initial funding or project ends.

A community pediatrician and owner of Dundalk Pediatrics Associates in Southeast Baltimore County, Rachel Dodge brings specialized expertise in the health of high-risk populations, particularly children in foster care. She is the president of the Maryland Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Dodge has served on state and national workgroups addressing the health needs of foster children and advocates for pediatrics through her appointment on the Maryland Medicaid Advisory Committee. She also teaches medical students and pediatric residents as a community preceptor and holds a part-time appointment as assistant professor of pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

A 15-year advocate for minority communities’ health, Ashyrra Dotson co-founded Eastern Shore Wellness Solutions Inc., a nonprofit delivering health education and training across Dorchester, Talbot and Caroline counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Previously community health strategist and program director at Associated Black Charities, Dotson transitioned in 2017 to lead the wellness organization as president and CEO alongside co-founder Joyce Opher.

Dotson manages multiple grant-funded programs, coordinates Dorchester County’s first Community Health Outreach Worker team and directs education initiatives targeting diabetes, hypertension and obesity.

Dotson holds a master’s degree in social psychology and completed leadership training through the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse College.

With more than 30 years of senior-level experience in healthcare, Michele Eberle leads the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange as its executive director, overseeing the agency’s strategic direction, leadership and all operational functions. Under her leadership, the exchange established the largest state reinsurance program in the nation, producing three years of double-digit premium reductions.

Eberle previously served as executive director of the Maryland Health Insurance Program. She holds an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University and a bachelor’s degree in management, computer science and religious studies from Nazareth University. She serves on the Eastport Yacht Club board of directors and is a member of the League of Women Voters.

What is the biggest challenge facing your industry today?

Federal government actions that are in conflict with our mission of providing accessible, affordable health insurance to all Marylanders.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

You can do anything you want, but remember, you are responsible for the consequences.

How do you define success?

As a leader, setting strategic direction, then building a team that is diverse, compassionate, empowered, innovative, ethical and removing roadblocks so they can achieve their best and the agency/company can perform its best.