Meet Our Leadership Team
The leadership team at Meridian HealthCare is committed to ensuring that our patients receive the right care, in the right place at the right time.
Lawrence J. Moliterno
PRESIDENT/CEO
Lawrence J. Moliterno serves as both President and Chief Executive Officer of Meridian HealthCare.
He has over 25 years of executive leadership experience in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors.
Lawrence holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Youngstown State University and taught as an Adjunct Faculty Member at the Williamson College of Business for over 10 years. He also currently serves as a Trustee for Boardman Township.
Darla Gallagher
SENIOR VP/CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Darla Gallagher oversees all operation activities, administrative support, human resources, and medical records for Meridian HealthCare.
Darla has over 20 years of experience in the field of non-profit financial management and currently serves as the Chief Operations Officer for the agency. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Youngstown State University.
Dr. Luis Villaplana
CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER
Dr. Villaplana joins Meridian HealthCare with over 30 years of experience practicing medicine in the Valley. After completing residency in 1989, he joined a local medical practice and a few years later opened his own private practice in the area.
His passion to help others led him to Meridian and into addiction medicine. His desire is to make a difference in those who suffer from addiction and behavioral health issues, along with providing integrated care to both current and future patients.
Dr. Villaplana graduated from the University of Puerto Rico with a bachelor’s degree in biology in 1982 and graduated from Ponce School of Medicine in Puerto Rico with a medical degree in 1986. He then headed to Youngstown to complete his Residency training in Categorical Internal Medicine at the Youngstown Hospital Association.
Chase Connors
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Chase Connors oversees the financial, revenue cycle, and information technology operations for Meridian HealthCare.
Chase joined the Meridian HealthCare team in 2016 soon after graduating from the Youngstown State University MBA program. She also holds a degree in Health Information Management and Systems (HIMS) from The Ohio State University. Chase spent several years leading the Meridian IT team as the Director of Information Systems before moving into the CFO role in 2022. She is certified as a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) and Power BI Data Analyst.
Keith Hochadel
CHIEF CLINICAL OFFICER
As Meridian’s CCO, Keith Hochadel leads Meridian’s clinical team, manages patient care, and ensures that quality standards are met.
Keith has over 25 years in the behavioral healthcare field, serving as President and CEO of Quest Recovery Services and the Executive Director of Men’s Challenge. He graduated from Malone University’s Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling program and gained his bachelor’s degree at Ohio Northern University.
Keith is an adjunct faculty member at both Walsh and Malone universities and currently serves as a Canton Trustee.
Meet Our Board of Directors
Our board members are the fiduciaries who steer the organization towards a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies, as well as by making sure the nonprofit has adequate resources to advance its mission.
OFFICERS
- Mr. William Padisak – PresidentMahoning/Trumbull Labor Council
- Mr. David Stauffer – Vice President/TreasurerYoungstown Jewish Federation
- Mr. Rodney Strichek – SecretaryPar Insurance Agency, Inc.
MEMBERS
- Ms. Cynthia CerimeleWindsor House
- Mr. James FordCommunity Legal Aid
- Dr. John HazyYoungstown State University
- Rev. Dr. Lewis W. Macklin IIHoly Trinity Missionary Baptist Church
- Ms. Tracie L. Schmidt, Esq.Friedman & Rummell, Co. L. P. A.
- Sgt. Derick A. Young (Ret)Mahoning County Common Pleas Veterans Honor Court
- Mr. Barry FranksJet Stream International, Inc.
- Mr. Todd HoganEdward Jones
- Mr. Joseph R. MancinoWestern Reserve Advisors
- Ms. Courtney SegoolTowson University