Barton Malow Project Executive Stephen Ocaña has been named among Crain’s Detroit’s 2026 “Notable Leaders in Health Care,” an annual list that recognizes outstanding professionals making an impact in the healthcare industry.
Honorees work ranges from expanding community-based services and strengthening safety, quality, and data systems to building mental health capacity, advancing pediatric and specialty care, improving value-based contracting, and training the next generation of providers. Together, these leaders are adapting, partnering, and investing to improve outcomes for patients and communities.
With over 20 years in the construction industry, Stephen has built his career around some of the most demanding healthcare environments in the country—programs where patients can’t be displaced and infection control is non-negotiable. Today, he serves as Project Executive for Barton Malow on Henry Ford Health’s Destination: Grand project, a campus expansion that will bring a 1.2 million SF hospital to the heart of Detroit.
A defining achievement for Stephen was leading teams through the completion of Corewell Health’s emergency department expansion and quarantine-capable facilities developed before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under his leadership, teams successfully completed critical infrastructure while maintaining operations, ensuring patient and staff safety, and long-term infectious disease readiness.
Beyond the jobsite, Stephen invests in the next generation of construction professionals. A Leadership Detroit Class 45 graduate, he mentors high schoolers through L!FE Leaders and Detroit Workforce of the Future, introducing students to careers in construction, architecture, and engineering.
Last week, Stephen was also recognized by DBusiness Magazine as one of its 30 in Their Thirties—a testament to the impact he continues to make both on and off the jobsite.
See the list of Notable Leaders in Health Care 2026 to learn more about Stephen and the other honorees.
