NYC Health + Hospitals Appoints Seasoned Health Care Executives to Lead NYC Health + Hospitals/Coney Island
New CEO and COO Join Four New Clinical and Nursing Leaders Charged with Improving the Patient Experience
May 12, 2016
Dr. Ram Raju, President and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals, today announced the appointment of two health care executives who will fill senior leadership positions at NYC Health + Hospitals/Coney Island, as part of the nation’s largest public health system’s transformation to support its Vision 2020 goals toward financial stability, growth and improving the patient experience.
Anthony Rajkumar will serve as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Mei Kong, RN, will serve as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the 371-bed hospital in Brooklyn. They join a new leadership team of clinical and nursing professionals who were appointed over the past two months: the Chief Medical Officer, Chairman of Emergency Medicine, Chief Nursing Executive and the Chief Nurse for the Emergency Department. This follows other recent CEO and high ranking leadership appointments across the health system.
“I want patient experience to be the centerpiece of this organization. We are selecting people who are committed to the communities we serve, know how to motivate and celebrate our workforce, and put patients first,” said Dr. Raju. “I am particularly excited to appoint this exceptional duo of seasoned change agents who exemplify the talent that already exists inside our organization and are ready to deliver on our promise to build a healthier Coney Island community.”
Anthony Rajkumar, a health care executive with more than 30 years of experience, will serve as the hospital’s CEO responsible for ensuring quality standards of care, increasing workforce engagement, expanding access, building community collaborations and providing an exceptional patient experience. All the hospital CEO positions in the public health system have been upgraded from an Executive Director title to reflect the shift away from operations-based management to strategic leadership and responsibilities for growth and patient experience.
“I’m proud to lead the team at Coney Island Hospital and look forward to working with this exceptional leadership group and all the giving, compassionate staff who deeply believe in our mission to care for the most vulnerable,” said Mr. Rajkumar. “I know first-hand of their dedication to the community when I pitched in the morning after Superstorm Sandy. They were there in three feet of water, providing a calming presence and protecting the safety of our patients. And they continue to do that every day.”
Mei Kong, a certified Registered Nurse, will serve as the hospital’s Chief Operating Officer in charge of the day-to-day management. Ms. Kong has nearly 30 years of clinical and administrative leadership experience in patient care, engagement, safety and workforce development. She is a nationally-recognized expert in TeamSTEPPS® an evidence-based teamwork system aimed at optimizing patient outcomes by improving communication and teamwork skills among health care professionals.
“I am so pleased to become part of the Coney Island Hospital community. This institution has a long, important history of service and I look forward to working with staff at every level to deliver a positive patient experience and continue to support their efforts to serve with excellence,” said Ms. Kong. “I also look forward to sharing my experiences as a nurse and team builder to help develop effective, collaborative groups that are uniquely focused on quality, safety and helping patients to live their healthiest life.”
“I want to congratulate the new leadership team at Coney Island Hospital. I also want to thank NYC Health + Hospitals for ensuring that Coney Island Hospital will continue to bring quality health care services to this community,” NYS Senator Diane J. Savino.
“The new staffing appointments at Coney Island Hospital are a welcome announcement, and I am committed to collaborating with Coney Island Hospital and NYC Health + Hospitals to ensure that my constituents have access to high quality health care services in our community,” said Councilman Chaim Deutsch. “I am certain that many of the doctors, nurses, and staff at the hospital are hardworking and dedicated to their patients, and I am hopeful that the new leadership team will ensure that this positive message spreads to every facet of Coney Island Hospital. I am always available to listen and respond to the residents of my district, and I encourage anyone with concerns to reach out to my office so that I can provide assistance.”
“The Coney Island Community Advisory Board (CAB) welcomes the new hospital leadership”, said Rosanne DeGennaro, Chair Coney Island Hospital Community Advisory Board. “Anthony Rajkumar, as the new CEO, and Mei Kong, as the new COO bring a combined 50 plus years of expertise and experience to our community. The CAB looks forward to working with these two accomplished individuals and the other hospital leaders to ensure Coney Island remains the beacon of light it has always been for patients.”
NYC Health + Hospitals/Coney Island Leadership Bios:
Anthony Rajkumar has served the NYC Health + Hospitals for more than 25 years. He served as CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan and Chief Operating Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx where he was instrumental in the restoration of labor and delivery services to the facility. He spent eleven years running the community based, outpatient services at NYC Health + Hospitals/East New York and was part of the transformation team at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County. He also worked as Chief Business Officer at the Cook County Hospital System (CCHS) in Chicago under Dr. Raju’s leadership. Mr. Rajkumar has a Master of Science degree in Health Services Management and Policy from the New School University, New York. Mr. Rajkumar will start May 16, 2016.- Mei Kongr RN, has directed patient safety and employee safety for NYC Health + Hospitals for 14 years and held the position of Assistant Vice President, Patient Safety and Employer Safety/Wellness. She has nearly 30 years of clinical and administrative leadership experience in patient care, engagement, safety and workforce development. A certified Registered Nurse, Ms. Kong has held increasingly substantial roles within NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, Beth Israel Medical Center and NYU Medical Center involving patient care and managing regulatory standards. She holds a RN Bachelor of Science from Long Island University, an MSN in Nursing Administration from Hunter College, and an Honorary Doctorate of Science from the New York College of Health Professions. Ms. Kong will start May 16, 2016.
- Wehbeh Wehbeh MD, MBA, FACP, was appointed Chief Medical Officer March 3. Dr. Wehbeh has nearly 20 years of experience in Internal Medicine and is an Infectious Disease specialist. He has been the Associate Chief Medical Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals/Coney Island for the past year and previously served as the Associate and Interim Chair of Medicine at New York Hospital Queens. He is Board Certified in both Infectious Disease and Internal Medicine. Dr. Wehbeh holds a MBA from Johns Hopkins University, an MS in Bio-med Science from the American University of Beirut, a BS in Chemistry from American University of Beirut and a Doctor of Medicine degree from St. Joseph University of Beirut.
- Barbara Campfield MSN, MS Edu, BSN, was appointed Chief Nursing Executive March 24. She has extensive experience in leadership, practice, financial management and education and developing performance improvement processes and patient safety initiatives. She most recently served as Principle at Partners for Clinical Success, LLC where she provided health care solutions in acute care hospitals and health care systems. As Corporate Chief Nursing Officer at Universal Health Services, Inc, a hospital management company, she focused on standardizing and simplifying nursing care practices and processes to improve quality of care and patient safety. She earned a BSN from Viterbo University, a M.S.Edu. and M.S.N. from the University of St. Francis.
- Mark Kindschuh MD, MBA, FACEP, was appointed Chair of Emergency Medicine April 4 and will oversee all aspects of Emergency Medicine and the Emergency Department. Dr. Kindschuh has more than 20 years of experience in Emergency Medicine and was most recently Chair of Emergency Medicine at New York Presbyterian Queens. He is Board Certified in Emergency Medicine and completed his Emergency Medicine Residency at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. He is a Fulbright Scholar with a Doctor of Medicine Degree from The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, a MBA in Management from New York University Stern Graduate School of Business and received a BA from Stanford University. Dr. Kindschuh also completed a Fellowship in Emergency Medical Services at NYCEMS. Dr. Kindschuh started on April 4, 2016.
- Barbara Campfield MSN, MS Edu, BSN, was appointed Chief Nursing Executive March 24. She has extensive experience in leadership, practice, financial management and education and developing performance improvement processes and patient safety initiatives. She most recently served as Principle at Partners for Clinical Success, LLC where she provided health care solutions in acute care hospitals and health care systems. As Corporate Chief Nursing Officer at Universal Health Services, Inc, a hospital management company, she focused on standardizing and simplifying nursing care practices and processes to improve quality of care and patient safety. She earned a BSN from Viterbo University, a M.S.Edu. and M.S.N. from the University of St. Francis.
Anthony Rajkumar has served the NYC Health + Hospitals for more than 25 years. He served as CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan and Chief Operating Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx where he was instrumental in the restoration of labor and delivery services to the facility. He spent eleven years running the community based, outpatient services at NYC Health + Hospitals/East New York and was part of the transformation team at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County. He also worked as Chief Business Officer at the Cook County Hospital System (CCHS) in Chicago under Dr. Raju’s leadership. Mr. Rajkumar has a Master of Science degree in Health Services Management and Policy from the New School University, New York. Mr. Rajkumar will start May 16, 2016.
Mei Kongr RN, has directed patient safety and employee safety for NYC Health + Hospitals for 14 years and held the position of Assistant Vice President, Patient Safety and Employer Safety/Wellness. She has nearly 30 years of clinical and administrative leadership experience in patient care, engagement, safety and workforce development. A certified Registered Nurse, Ms. Kong has held increasingly substantial roles within NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, Beth Israel Medical Center and NYU Medical Center involving patient care and managing regulatory standards. She holds a RN Bachelor of Science from Long Island University, an MSN in Nursing Administration from Hunter College, and an Honorary Doctorate of Science from the New York College of Health Professions. Ms. Kong will start May 16, 2016.
Wehbeh Wehbeh MD, MBA, FACP, was appointed Chief Medical Officer March 3. Dr. Wehbeh has nearly 20 years of experience in Internal Medicine and is an Infectious Disease specialist. He has been the Associate Chief Medical Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals/Coney Island for the past year and previously served as the Associate and Interim Chair of Medicine at New York Hospital Queens. He is Board Certified in both Infectious Disease and Internal Medicine. Dr. Wehbeh holds a MBA from Johns Hopkins University, an MS in Bio-med Science from the American University of Beirut, a BS in Chemistry from American University of Beirut and a Doctor of Medicine degree from St. Joseph University of Beirut.
Barbara Campfield MSN, MS Edu, BSN, was appointed Chief Nursing Executive March 24. She has extensive experience in leadership, practice, financial management and education and developing performance improvement processes and patient safety initiatives. She most recently served as Principle at Partners for Clinical Success, LLC where she provided health care solutions in acute care hospitals and health care systems. As Corporate Chief Nursing Officer at Universal Health Services, Inc, a hospital management company, she focused on standardizing and simplifying nursing care practices and processes to improve quality of care and patient safety. She earned a BSN from Viterbo University, a M.S.Edu. and M.S.N. from the University of St. Francis.
Mark Kindschuh MD, MBA, FACEP, was appointed Chair of Emergency Medicine April 4 and will oversee all aspects of Emergency Medicine and the Emergency Department. Dr. Kindschuh has more than 20 years of experience in Emergency Medicine and was most recently Chair of Emergency Medicine at New York Presbyterian Queens. He is Board Certified in Emergency Medicine and completed his Emergency Medicine Residency at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. He is a Fulbright Scholar with a Doctor of Medicine Degree from The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, a MBA in Management from New York University Stern Graduate School of Business and received a BA from Stanford University. Dr. Kindschuh also completed a Fellowship in Emergency Medical Services at NYCEMS. Dr. Kindschuh started on April 4, 2016.
Barbara Campfield MSN, MS Edu, BSN, was appointed Chief Nursing Executive March 24. She has extensive experience in leadership, practice, financial management and education and developing performance improvement processes and patient safety initiatives. She most recently served as Principle at Partners for Clinical Success, LLC where she provided health care solutions in acute care hospitals and health care systems. As Corporate Chief Nursing Officer at Universal Health Services, Inc, a hospital management company, she focused on standardizing and simplifying nursing care practices and processes to improve quality of care and patient safety. She earned a BSN from Viterbo University, a M.S.Edu. and M.S.N. from the University of St. Francis.Contact: Press Office, 212-788-3339
About Coney Island Hospital
NYC Health + Hospitals/Coney Island is a member of the NYC Health + Hospitals health care system and has served the Southern Brooklyn community since 1875. The 371-bed hospital has more than 2,900 staff. Inpatient services account for 18,000 discharges annually and an extensive ambulatory care program serves more than 300,000 outpatient primary care and specialty care visits annually. Its emergency room sees more than 72,000 visits every year. Clinical centers of excellence include: Primary Care, Adolescent Medicine and Behavioral Health.
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health care system in the nation with a network of 11 hospitals including six regional trauma centers, community-based health centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, and a correctional health services unit. The system includes a home care agency and a health plan, MetroPlusHealth. The health system provides essential services to 1.2 million New Yorkers every year in more than 70 locations across the five boroughs. Its diverse workforce of more than 42,000 employees are uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. Visit nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected: https://www.facebook.com/NYCHealthSystem/ or Twitter@NYCHealthSystem.