At Paradigm, our mission is to provide an extraordinary healthcare experience to every patient—delivered by one of the most esteemed physician teams in the nation.
As a successful entrepreneur, Kevin Schneider has developed multiple far-reaching healthcare companies over the past two decades, each with a foremost focus on impacting the community he serves. He considers the development of Sterling Surgical Hospital as his most profound entrepreneurial endeavor due to the scope of its influence and outcome.
Schneider serves as Managing Partner of the Hospital's professional management company — Novation Health which built Sterling Surgical Hospital in 2013 to accommodate the state-of- the-art surgical needs of Paradigm Health System physicians and other local doctors. He also serves as the Hospital’s Chairman of the Board.
Schneider and the team at Sterling Surgical work tirelessly every day to provide ideal service and optimal care to people at their most vulnerable and in their greatest time of medical need. He relishes the opportunity to enact his personal goal of leadership through service and doesn’t hesitate to roll up his sleeves and get involved in the hard work behind the scenes. He endeavors to foster a team culture where positive attitudes synergize with a sense of pride to surpass the expectations of physicians, patient families and the overall community.
Schneider attributes Sterling Surgical Hospital's success to its unique mindset and discipline. He and his physician partners have adopted an extremely disciplined approach to growth, particularly in regards to "fit" with potential new partners. In addition, they have developed a culture whereby all members of the team possess an ownership mentality that provides a unique level of passion and commitment to performance in service, quality, comfort and convenience. Schneider challenges the Hospital’s teams to break fixed mindsets in order to create a path to continuous improvement in everything they do.
In 2015, after being nominated by its employees, Sterling Surgical Hospital was selected by CityBusiness as one of the top 15 city workplaces for small businesses in the Greater New Orleans. A recent review of almost 700 patient surveys revealed near-perfect scores in eight out of nine quality categories. Schneider's role in those achievements, along with his personal passion for making a significant and unique impact on the entire healthcare community, has served as a catalyst for Sterling Surgical Hospital becoming the premier surgical center in the greater New Orleans area.
Taylor Cera is a seasoned healthcare executive with nearly a decade of leadership experience, bringing a wealth of expertise in strategic planning, business development, and operational excellence. Currently serving as the CEO of Paradigm Health System and Sterling Surgical Hospital, Mr. Cera is dedicated to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care while driving organizational growth and innovation.
Before assuming his role as CEO, Mr. Cera served as the Chief Operating Officer at Youngstown Orthopaedic Associates, where he was responsible for directing, planning, implementing, and leading all operational and financial activities. During his tenure, he developed and implemented several key growth initiatives, including pricing tools, ancillary services lines, specifically, an outpatient joint replacement center of excellence. His forward-thinking approach positioned the organization as a leader in the orthopaedic healthcare space.
Mr. Cera’s leadership journey also includes operational roles at other hospital systems where he gained invaluable experience in managing large healthcare systems. His ability to execute innovative solutions has consistently resulted in improved efficiency, cost savings, and enhanced patient outcomes.
Taylor’s dedication to the healthcare industry has not gone unnoticed. In 2016, he was recognized with The Mahoning Valley Young Professional Top 25 Under 35 Award for his outstanding contributions to the field. Becker’s Healthcare also named him among 23 ASC Leaders Under 40 who have made a significant impact in the ambulatory surgery center industry. In 2023, Taylor was featured in Outpatient Surgery Magazine’s Special Edition for his perspective on the transformation of ambulatory surgery centers.
In addition to his professional achievements, Mr. Cera is actively involved in his community. He serves as a Member of the John F. Kennedy Catholic High School Board of Directors and as past Member and Vice President of The Pennsylvania State University Shenango Campus Advisory Board, where he contributes to advancing education and supporting the next generation of leaders.
Mr. Cera holds a bachelor’s degree from The Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting from Cleveland State University. A former member of the Penn State men’s hockey team, he brings the same discipline, teamwork, and drive from the ice rink to his professional endeavors.
When not leading transformative initiatives in healthcare, Mr. Cera remains passionate about mentoring aspiring professionals, supporting community programs, and developing innovative approaches to advancing patient care.
Taylor Cera’s unwavering commitment to operational excellence, patient satisfaction, and community impact continues to shape the future of healthcare, solidifying Paradigm Health System and Sterling Surgical Hospital as leaders in the industry.
With a career spanning more than two decades, Dr. Rex S. Houser has become a trusted name in neurological care across Southeast Louisiana. Board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in 2003, Dr. Houser brings an expert yet approachable presence to his patients, combining technical excellence with a strong commitment to comprehensive, patient-centered care.
Born and raised in New Orleans, Dr. Houser’s path to medicine reflects a rare blend of business insight and scientific curiosity. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied Marketing and Management Information Systems from 1987 to 1991. After a brief but impactful start as an Account Executive with Ocusoft, Inc. in Atlanta, his passion for service led him to pursue medicine.
He returned home to complete his pre-medical studies at the University of New Orleans and earned his medical degree from Louisiana State University Medical Center in New Orleans in 1998. He went on to complete an internship in internal medicine and a residency in neurology at LSU, where he served as Chief Resident under the guidance of Dr. Austin Sumner.
In 2002, Dr. Houser launched his private neurology practice, and in 2003, he and his family became proud residents of St. Tammany Parish. He currently serves the patients of Paradigm Health System across multiple locations throughout the Northshore region. His clinical expertise includes the diagnosis and treatment of a broad range of neurological conditions, including migraines, neuropathy, stroke, epilepsy, dementia, carpal tunnel syndrome, and spinal pathology. He is also highly skilled in diagnostic procedures such as EEG, EMG, and nerve conduction studies.
Dr. Houser plays a pivotal role in healthcare development and leadership across the region. He is the Co-Founder and Neurological Director of Paradigm Health System, as well as Co-Founder and Chief of Staff of Sterling Surgical Hospital. He serves on the Board of Directors for both institutions and has been instrumental in shaping their clinical and strategic direction. In addition, Dr. Houser played a key role in spearheading the development of more than 100,000 square feet of medical real estate throughout St. Tammany Parish—with even more expansion on the way—as part of an ongoing commitment to improving access to high-quality care in the region.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Houser is a devoted husband and proud father of four boys. Deeply rooted in Louisiana life, he enjoys spending his free time outdoors—fishing, traveling, and making memories with his family.