Congratulations to 40 Under 40 Winner: Endrit Meta, Director, Data & Technology, The Center for Health Affairs
Get To Know Endrit:
Age (as of December 31, 2023): 33
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Alma Matter: The Ohio State University
Number of Years of Experience in Healthcare: 7 years
Favorite Movie of All-Time: The Godfather
Favorite Band or Musician: Guns N’ Roses
Your Favorite thing about healthcare: On top of healthcare being a rewarding field to work in, one my favorite parts is that it comes with challenging and complex problems. Healthcare requires us to be innovative and versatile with solutions which are applicable at a macro level while leading to the best individual patient outcomes at a micro level.
Why is this candidate a good fit for 40 under 40?
As a mid-careerist under the age of 40, Endrit is mature and responsible beyond his chronological years. He masterfully leads a team of data analysts, data scientists, and data architects in the process of ingesting, staging, curating, and analyzing vast amounts of data using the most sophisticated cloud computing platform on the planet that includes large language learning models and other AI applications. He is an exceptionally talented and innovative thinker using technology combined with his economics training to derive insights about complex public policy and business challenges. Prior to his current role and position, Endrit worked with the state Medicaid program where he managed forecasting and analytics of more than $1 B in funds annually for the state’s Medicare Premium Assistance Program; evaluated the expenditure against the forecast each month; and analyzed discrepancies. In addition, he managed special projects and generated key reports to support the department. With The Center, Endrit works collaboratively with cross-functional teams, handles a multitude of data and technology projects, and leads by example to ensure the delivery of high quality and credible analytics for all deliverables—all the while superbly managing relationships with clients and colleagues.
Explain this candidate’s professional accomplishments:
In addition to working for the state as the Medicaid Systems Administrator related to econometrics and forecasting, Endrit was also a Project Analytics Consultant with The Lewin Group prior to joining The Center. Over the past three years with The Center, Endrit has proven more than capable and demonstrated excellent work as he moved rapidly from his role as the Director of Volume Statistics to the Director of Data Management and now to his current role as the Director of Technology & Data for the entire organization. Endrit is also devoting non-work time to help train future technology leaders and data scientists as a guest lecturer and instructor at Cleveland State University and Columbus State Community College. With undergraduate and graduate degrees in economics and political science, Endrit loves to transform complex data from in-depth analyses into detailed reports and recommendations to help companies achieve continued growth. As an accomplished Project Analytics Consultant with a strong educational foundation from a master’s degree as well as dynamic experience teaching at the university level, Meta leads CHA’s technology and data initiatives. Meta enjoys coaching junior team members and communicates effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders. Equally facile in English, French, and Albanian, Endrit provides a global perspective to all that he does and is an adaptable self-starter focused on providing timely and competent analyses to consistently exceed expectations and ensure organizational successes.
How does the candidate show commitment to the industry and bettering their professional career?
Endrit is an active participant in HIMSS and NOHIMSS where he connects with peers to expand his knowledge about using data and information to impact lives and the health care sector. He also engages with ViVE, Premier, and OhioX that are organizations for technology leaders. These support Endrit’s peer connections and learning opportunities. In 2022, Endrit was a member of the Civic Leadership Institute cohort hosted by the Cleveland Leadership Center where he gained a greater understanding of interconnections between community assets in public and private sectors. In addition, Endrit demonstrates his commitment to personal and professional growth by pursuing certificates in leadership, cloud practitioner, and development. With these expanding knowledge base, Endrit dedicates time and ingenuity in creating solutions for health care. He applies knowledge to assist others in their work. For example, through his support and management of the Collaboration to Innovation grant that partnered with renowned researchers to explore the impacts of social determinants of health on asthma; and through the world’s first global SDoH Innovation Hub operated by The Center.
