Leadership Team

Strategic Healthcare Executive | Growth Architect | M&A Expert | Surgical Services

Jeff D. Nichols is a founding partner, Executive Board Member, and Chief Executive Officer of SYT Surgical, where he leads with over three decades of experience transforming healthcare delivery across private practices, ambulatory surgery centers (ASC), hospitals, and Office-Based Surgical (OBS) facilities.

Recognized for his visionary leadership and operational expertise, Jeff has driven the successful development of 60 clinics, 34 ASCs, four hospital surgical centers, and OBS models. His ability to integrate clinical excellence and a patient-centric experience with strategic financial planning has positioned SYT Surgical as a leader in outpatient surgical innovation.

Jeff’s background includes executive leadership roles within physician practice management companies, management and financial services organizations, and private equity–backed healthcare ventures. His strength lies in identifying scalable growth opportunities through mergers and acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and the implementation of surgical operational models.

A graduate of Syracuse University and Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, Jeff’s expertise spans:

• Practice, OBS, ASC & Hospital Business Development
• Private Equity and Financial Service Organization Collaboration
• Strategic & Corporate Development
• Operations and Performance Management
• Mergers & Acquisitions

Jeff has successfully negotiated and secured pivotal contracts with private equity firms, venture capital groups, and financial service organizations—facilitating access to capital and supporting long-term expansion strategies.

He is also a published author and sought-after speaker at national conferences, including the AAO, ASCRS, ISEPS/COS, STAAR Surgical Summit, and Real World Ophthalmology, sharing insights on private equity, Office-Based Surgical development, and the future of ophthalmic surgery.

Healthcare Executive | Physician Practice Management | Clinically Integrated Networks

Leslie Stern is a seasoned healthcare executive with more than 30 years of experience building, acquiring, and developing physician practices and ambulatory services in large community-based and academic health systems.

Leslie has an extensive background in transforming and growing high-performing, patient-centric physician practices, fostering strong engagement among physicians, staff, and patients. Leslie has developed and operated over 400 ambulatory sites and managed portfolios of nearly 1,000 physicians across multiple specialties. His ability to create a multifaceted operation with a focus on a patient-centered culture, offering the highest level of clinical excellence, has led to local and national recognition for the medical practices under his leadership.

During his time at SYT Surgical, Leslie led the design and development of newly built surgery centers. In addition, Leslie consults on the hiring and development of the care team model, oversees the accreditation process, and leads all operations to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of surgical care.

Leslie’s background includes executive leadership roles within community-based and academic health systems. Most recently, Leslie led an extensive network of physician practices and a clinically integrated network providing care to over 1 million patients across 35 sites annually. His ability to develop strong relationships with physicians, provide optimal staffing support, and ensure highly engaged patients has led to the highest outcomes in the most efficient way. Leslie also has a strong strategic and financial focus, ensuring each operation is financially stable while delivering affordable and appropriate care.

In addition to serving in leadership roles, Leslie has also served on numerous boards and committees. His involvement has included serving on the boards of national healthcare consortia, state organizations, and local physician governance boards.

A graduate of Southern Illinois University with a degree in healthcare management and the University of St. Thomas with an MBA, Leslie’s expertise spans:

• Physician Practice Management
• Clinically Integrated Networks
• Strategic Growth
• Financial Management
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Ambulatory Site Development

CTO, OBS Executive Director, Chicago Cornea Consultants | Cornea, Cataract & Refractive Surgeon

Dr. Neel Vaidya is a board-certified ophthalmologist with subspecialty training in cornea, cataract, and refractive surgery. As Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of SYT Surgical, Dr. Vaidya plays a pivotal role in shaping the company’s mission to bring high-quality, office-based surgical solutions to ophthalmology practices across the country. His unique blend of clinical precision and business acumen drives innovation, operational strategy, and patient-centered care within SYT’s growing network.

Dr. Vaidya earned his MD through an accelerated BS/MD program at The Ohio State University, where he also received his Master of Public Health (MPH). He completed his ophthalmology residency at Loyola University Medical Center, serving as Chief Resident, and went on to complete a fellowship in cornea and refractive surgery at Chicago Cornea Consultants, where he currently practices. He also holds an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, equipping him with a powerful lens for healthcare systems, outcomes, and strategic growth.

In addition to his clinical and entrepreneurial work, Dr. Vaidya is a faculty member at Rush University Medical Center and an active contributor to research and education in the field of ophthalmology.

CEO, Chicago Cornea Consultants | Cornea, Cataract & Refractive Surgeon

Dr. Parag Majmudar is a fellowship-trained corneal and refractive surgery specialist with more than 35 years of experience. As Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer at SYT Surgical, and CEO of Chicago Cornea Consultants, he leverages his extensive clinical background and passion for innovation to help drive SYT’s mission of transforming ophthalmic care through office-based surgical solutions.

He began his academic journey at Lehigh University (Phi Beta Kappa) and earned his MD from the Medical College of Pennsylvania (Alpha Omega Alpha). He completed his residency at the University of Chicago, where he served as Chief Resident, followed by a subspecialty fellowship in cornea and refractive surgery at Rush University Medical Center.

Dr. Majmudar is a respected educator and Professor at Rush. He is also an international lecturer, credited with developing surface ablation protocols that helped shape modern refractive surgery. He has received numerous honors, including the AAO Senior Achievement Award, and has held leadership roles within ASCRS and ISRS.

In addition to his clinical and academic work, Dr. Majmudar brings strategic insight from his experience in venture investment and advisory roles across ophthalmology, helping fuel SYT Surgical’s growth and innovation.