EY US celebrates ambitious entrepreneurs shaping the future of business
Gene Scheurer and Jason Mabry, founders of Optimum Healthcare IT, have been named finalists for the Entrepreneur of the Year 2026 Florida Award by Ernst & Young LLP (EY US). Now in its 41st year, the Entrepreneur of the Year program celebrates the bold leaders who disrupt markets through the world’s most ground-breaking companies, revolutionizing industries and uplifting communities. The program honors entrepreneurs whose innovations drive economic growth and help shape the future of business.
An independent panel of judges selected Gene and Jason among 35 finalists based on their entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, company growth, and lasting impact in building long-term value.
”Being named an Entrepreneur of the Year finalist by EY is a meaningful recognition of the journey we’ve been on at Optimum. From day one, our focus has been simple: deliver real outcomes for our clients and build a company grounded in trust, execution, and accountability. What started as a vision has grown into an organization supporting health systems across the country through some of their most complex transformations. This recognition belongs to our team and to our clients, who have trusted us as their partner. I’m grateful for the dedication of our people and the relationships that have made this possible.
Gene Scheurer, CEO and Founder, Optimum Healthcare IT
”This recognition from EY is an honor and a reflection of the momentum that Gene and I have built together. Our growth has always been driven by a clear mission: help healthcare organizations navigate change with confidence and deliver measurable results. We’ve been fortunate to work alongside forward-thinking clients and a team that shows up every day committed to excellence. This recognition is a testament to that collective effort, and I’m thankful for our employees, our partners, and the trust our clients place in us.
Jason Mabry, President and Founder, Optimum Healthcare IT
Founded in 2012, Optimum Healthcare IT is a healthcare-focused consulting and workforce solutions firm serving provider organizations across the U.S. The company has grown to more than 1,300 employees and supports more than 300 healthcare clients. Under Gene and Jason’s leadership, Optimum has expanded from a niche Epic consultancy into a full-service healthcare IT partner supporting enterprise applications, digital transformation, cloud and infrastructure, cybersecurity, ERP, ServiceNow, training, go-live, and managed support services.
Entrepreneur of the Year honors business leaders for their ingenuity, courage, and entrepreneurial spirit. The program celebrates original founders who bootstrapped their businesses from inception or raised outside capital to grow their companies, transformational CEOs who infused innovation into an existing organization to catapult its trajectory, and multigenerational family business leaders who reimagined a legacy business model to strengthen it for the future.
This year’s Florida finalists represent many industries, including technology, consumer products, manufacturing, finance, and more.
Regional award winners will be announced on June 12 during a special celebration in Miami and will become lifetime members of an esteemed community of Entrepreneur of the Year alumni from around the world. The winners will then be considered by the national judges for the Entrepreneur of the Year National Awards, which will be presented in November at the annual Strategic Growth Forum®, where high-growth CEOs, Fortune 1000 executives, and investors converge to shape the future of business.
Sponsors
Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, Cresa, LLC, Marsh USA, SAP, and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. In Florida, sponsors also include ADP and Selective Insight– regional Silver sponsors.
About Entrepreneur of the Year®
Founded in 1986, Entrepreneur of the Year® has celebrated more than 11,000 ambitious visionaries who are leading successful, dynamic businesses in the US, and it has since expanded to nearly 80 countries and territories globally.
The US program consists of 17 regional programs whose panels of independent judges select the regional award winners every June. Those winners compete for national recognition at the Strategic Growth Forum® in November, where national finalists and award winners are announced. The national overall winner represents the US at the World Entrepreneur of the Year® competition. Visit ey.com/us/eoy.
About EY
EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society, and the planet, while building trust in capital markets.
Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow.
EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy, and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network, and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.
All in to shape the future with confidence.
EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.
About Optimum Healthcare IT
Optimum Healthcare IT is a Best in KLAS healthcare IT digital transformation and consulting firm based in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Optimum’s comprehensive service offerings include Enterprise Application Services, Digital Transformation, and Workforce Management, which features our skill development program, Optimum CareerPath®. Backed by a leadership team with extensive expertise, we deliver tailored healthcare consulting solutions to diverse organizations.
Visit www.optimumhit.com or call 1.904.373.0831 to learn how your organization can utilize our solutions.
MEDIA CONTACT
Larry Kaiser
Chief Marketing Officer
lkaiser@optimumhit.com
