Who we are

and why we care

Discover the people, passion, and purpose behind OptiMed.

OptiMed Hospitalists, PLLC is a locally owned, clinician-led group delivering integrated medical and behavioral health care across acute and post-acute facilities in the Charlotte region. With hands-on leadership and a commitment to patient-centered care, we ensure quality is felt in every setting we serve. We also extend our services to the broader community through partnerships with local organizations, expanding access to meaningful, coordinated care.

We are dedicated to collaboration and partnership across acute care, post-acute care, and integrated behavioral health. Our team brings the flexibility and innovative thinking needed to provide effective, efficient care from admission through transition and long-term follow-up. With a focus on streamlined communication and coordinated workflows, we work to reduce avoidable transfers, strengthen continuity, improve clinical and behavioral health outcomes, and ensure a consistently positive patient and family experience.

OptiMed is composed of experienced healthcare leaders committed to delivering high-quality care every day. We empower our clinicians with the tools and support they need to grow professionally while making a meaningful difference in the lives of their patients. With a stable core team at each facility and strong partnerships throughout the community, our providers are deeply invested in the environments they serve and the people who live there.

Meet our Leadership

Our leadership team is composed of dedicated healthcare professionals committed to advancing quality and equitability.

header-blurb-image

Mahdi Ajjan

MD, MBA

Mahdi Ajjan, MD, MBA is a board-certified internal medicine physician and the founder and CEO of OptiMed Hospitalists PLLC, a healthcare organization that partners with Iredell Memorial Hospital, as well as nursing homes and assisted living facilities in North Carolina.
header-blurb-image

Alicia Ibanez

PA-C, MBA

Alicia Ibanez, PA-C, MBA is a clinically practicing healthcare executive and equity advocate who turns clinical complexity into measurable operational results. As Chief Operating Officer of OptiMed Hospitalists, she leads multi-site acute and post-acute operations across the Charlotte region, driving performance in throughput, documentation integrity, staffing, and value-based outcomes. Formerly Chief Quality Officer, Alicia engineered process improvements that strengthened payer performance, reduced avoidable variation, and improved revenue capture while protecting clinician time and patient safety.

Administration

profile-card-image-Melissa Deal

Melissa Deal,

NP, Director of Specialty Services

profile-card-image-Michelle Miller

Michelle Miller,

Hospitalist & Behavioral Health Practice Manager

profile-card-image-Tifani Kepley

Tifani Kepley,

Executive Assistant & Finance Manager

profile-card-image-Michelle Stone

Michelle Stone,

CPPM, Credentialing & Compliance Coordinator

profile-card-image-Shelia Wood

Shelia Wood,

Scheduler