Please help us in congratulating this years' 2026 Visionary Award Winners.
Leadership in Health Award
Dr. Ronald Rhodes | Chief Academic Officer, Mercy Health Lorain and Youngstown
Ronald Rhodes, MD is a native of Youngstown, Ohio who graduated in 1981 from Boardman High School. After completing his undergrad at Youngstown State University, he attended NEOMED, graduating from the former BS/MD program in 1988. From there he did his general surgery residency locally at St. Elizbeth’s Youngstown hospital until he had his own practice from 1993 – 2004.
Following 11 years at his private practice, Dr. Rhodes was hired on as the Associate Program Director for General Surgery Residency at Mercy Health. He quickly rose to the Director of General Surgery Residency at St. Elizabeth’s Youngstown which he held for 8 years. In 2017, Dr. Rhodes accepted the position as Chief Academic Officers for Mercy Health Lorain and Youngstown, in which he remains today.
Outside of the hospital, Dr. Rhodes enjoys spending time with his wife, two children, grand-daughter, and two mini golden doodles.
Heart of the Mission Award
Mercy Health St. Elizabeth Auxiliary
The St. Elizabeth Auxiliary has been serving the patients and staff of St. E’s Youngstown and, more recently, St. E’s Boardman for more than 90 years. Through fundraisers such as shoe/uniform and book/gift sales, the group has been happy to provide grants for projects that benefit both patients and staff.
They also give an annual nursing scholarship and help sponsor the Panerathon. Additionally, they contributed to the “When You Were Sick” sculpture that is a focal point of the COVID memorial recognizing patients and staff in front of the hospital on Park Avenue. The group provides volunteers for the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center, which it has supported since its inception.
The Auxiliary has some 70 member, including all ages and backgrounds who use their talents and creativity to make crocheted and knitted baby blankets for the newborns in St. E’s Boardman’s maternity and post abdominal surgery pillows for patients at both hospitals. Many other the members have worked at St. E’s as nurses and other health care professionals as well as administrative and clerical staff. However, many are people in the community who believe in our mission and want to give back.
Continuing the Legacy Award
Ian Beniston | Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation
Ian Beniston, AICP, HDFP is the Executive Director of the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation (YNDC) and has been a part of the organization since the idea of YNDC was conceived in 2008. He is responsible for YNDC’s consistent achievement of its mission and day to day operations. He has twenty-one years of neighborhood planning, development, and finance experience in the private, non-profit, and public sectors. He has guided more than $90 million in direct neighborhood investment in Youngstown's neighborhoods. Ian holds a Master of City and Regional Planning from The Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Youngstown State University. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and a Grow America Housing Development Finance Professional. He resides in the City of Youngstown with his wife and daughter.
