Learn about the dedicated people who work with NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst to ensure that we continue to address community needs.
NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst is proud to have an active Community Advisory Board, comprising more than 25 members. The administration at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst works closely with the Board members to keep them informed of hospital policy and of any changes within the hospital and Health & Hospital Corporation. At the same time, the Board represents the different interests of the community and informs the hospital of any new ways it can help meet the community’s changing needs. The Community Advisory Board functions as a link between NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst and the communities it serves.
Karla Leon
Community Advisory Board ChairpersonNYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst
Phone: 718-334-5825
As a longtime member of the East Elmhurst community, Karla has a strong personal connection to the people and neighborhoods served by NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst. Throughout her life, she has witnessed firsthand the needs and challenges facing local residents, particularly around access to resources, support, and quality health care.
Karla brings a diverse professional background to her role on the Community Advisory Board (CAB), with experience in real estate, entrepreneurship, and as a Business Analyst in the legal field. She draws on her skills in communication, organization, relationship-building, and advocacy to help strengthen connections between the hospital and the community. Through this work, she helps ensure that resident input is reflected in NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst’s priorities and decision-making, including efforts that extend beyond caring for those who are sick or injured.
The COVID-19 pandemic deepened her appreciation for NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst and its vital role in the community. Inspired by the resilience of local residents and the dedication of hospital staff, volunteers, and fellow CAB members, Karla continues to believe that even small acts of service can make a lasting impact.
For Karla, serving as CAB Chair is a privilege, a point of pride, and a meaningful way to give back to the community that shaped her and remains home to her family.