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  • REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS – April 2026

REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS – April 2026

Mitchell H. Katz, MD
NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
April 30, 2026

DEPUTY COUNSEL JEREMY BERMAN RETIRES

After decades of quietly shaping the legal architecture of New York City’s public health care system, Jeremy Berman is retiring as Deputy Counsel. Over the course of his 21-year tenure, Jeremy built one of the most consequential legal records in the System’s modern history — leading complex transactional and regulatory work that fundamentally shaped NYC Health + Hospitals’ physical and operational footprint. That work includes the acquisition of Henry J. Carter Specialty Hospital and Nursing Facility out of the North General bankruptcy, the acquisition of the Vanderbilt clinic on Staten Island out of the St. Vincent’s bankruptcy, and the negotiation of all 20 ground leases for affordable housing and other programs on system-owned land. Jeremy played a central role in establishing Gotham FQHC, Inc., shepherding the corporation’s formation, its co-applicant agreement with the public health care system, and HRSA’s certification of the joint clinic network as a Federally Qualified Health Center.

Berman was also the System’s legal anchor during some of its most consequential crisis moments. He led the legal structuring of NYC Health + Hospitals’ response to Superstorm Sandy, including a Letter of Undertaking with FEMA for nearly $1.8 billion in recovery funds and a successful defense of emergency procurement decisions during Federal audit. He prepared construction and hotel agreements for the COVID-19 response and the HERRC humanitarian relief program, negotiated the functional transfer of Correctional Health Services to the health System, and structured the joint laboratory venture with Northwell Health.

Three cheers for Jeremy’s tremendous career. We thank him for his trusted legal guidance that has led NYC Health + Hospitals steadily and deftly through major transactions, emergencies, and inflection points.

MAYOR MAMDANI ANNOUNCES OPENING OF FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND OUTPOSTED THERAPEUTIC HOUSING UNIT

On Monday, April 6, Mayor Mamdani announced the opening of the City’s first Outposted Therapeutic Housing Unit at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue — a major step towards the Mamdani Administration’s commitment to closing Rikers Island.

The 104-bed unit will serve people in custody with complex medical needs by transferring the most clinically vulnerable detainees from Rikers Island into a therapeutic setting with closer access to specialty care. It is the first of three planned Outposted Therapeutic Housing Units across the city.

The unit provides direct access to a full range of specialty services, including oncology, cardiology and neurology. Correctional Health Services (CHS) clinicians will deliver care on-site, with enhanced monitoring and support in a therapeutic environment designed to improve health outcomes.

CHS will remain the primary provider of clinical care, working in close coordination with Bellevue specialists. The NYC Department of Correction (DOC) will provide security, custody management, programming and other services. The unit meets all standards set by the NYC Board of Correction and the New York State Commission of Correction.

FOR NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH, NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS CELEBRATES OVER 2.8 MILLION PLANT-BASED MEALS SERVED TO PATIENTS

On March 31, in recognition of National Nutrition Month, NYC Health + Hospitals in partnership with Sodexo celebrated over 2.8 million plant-based meals served since the program began in March 2022. In 2025 alone, NYC Health + Hospitals served nearly 700,000 plant-based meals to its patients. Scientific research has shown that plant-based eating patterns are linked to significantly lower risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers. They can also be effective for weight management as well as treatment of hypertension and hyperlipidemia. In addition to the considerable health benefits for patients, the transition to a plant-based menu led to a reduction in carbon emissions of 36% and a cost savings of 59 cents per meal. Patients who ate plant-based meals at NYC Health + Hospitals in 2025 reported a satisfaction rate of 98%.

All meals are made from scratch at the health care System’s Culinary Center in Brooklyn. The culinary team includes Food Service Associates at each hospital who take the patient’s food order, educate them about the flavor and nutrition of the day’s plant-based options, and gather patient feedback about the meal. New recipes are piloted as a “Chef’s Recommendation” and only enter the menu rotation if they achieve an 80% patient satisfaction rate or above. Patients who are discharged from the hospital receive a booklet of plant-based recipes to make at home. New plant-based dishes joining the menu this year include Barbeque Mushrooms with Baked Beans; Mac and Cheese with Peas; Mafe Stew with Jollof Rice; Shawarma Roasted Mushrooms with Yellow Rice, Peppers and Onions; Fresh Baked Chocolate Chunk Cherry Cookies; and Fresh Baked Ginger Snap Cookies.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS EMPLOYEE AND FACILITY RECOGNITIONS

26 NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS DOCTORS RECOGNIZED FOR OUTSTANDING PATIENT CARE AT ANNUAL DOCTORS’ DAY CELEBRATION

NYC Health + Hospitals celebrated the public health care System’s Doctors’ Day and the 26 doctors recognized for their outstanding patient care. The physicians were nominated for their unwavering commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care, and their exceptional leadership in advancing equitable health care in New York City’s largest public hospital System. This year’s honorees include pediatricians, primary care doctors, emergency department physicians, a dermatologist, an ophthalmologist, OBGYNs, and other providers who have transformed the lives of countless patients. The doctors come from a diverse array of nations such as the Philippines, Nigeria, South Korea, India, Bulgaria, Egypt, Dominican Republic, Pakistan, etc. Biographies of the 26 doctors recognized in this year’s event are available here.

A special thanks to NYC Health + Hospitals Chief Medical Officer for Clinical Affairs and Business Strategy, Sewit Teckie, MD, MBA, and her team who worked hard to plan these special honors.

“Our doctors understand that medicine is not just a profession — it is a commitment to human dignity,” said Co-CMO Dr. Sewit Teckie. “We honor these doctors’ incredible care of their patients and their dedication to our public hospitals.”

“The physicians we recognized are incredible,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Chief Medical Officer for Clinical Services and Population Health, Ted Long, MD, MHS. “They are diverse, coming from all around the world, but what they have in common is that they all came here, driven by their commitment to our mission at NYC Health + Hospitals to treat healthcare as a fundamental human right.”

DR. HOWARD J. FINGER INDUCTED AS 2026 FELLOW BY THE FOUNDATION FOR POST-ACUTE AND LONG-TERM CARE MEDICINE

Howard J. Finger, DO, FPALTC has been inducted into the 60-person inaugural Fellows Class of the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association (PALTmed). Dr. Finger was recognized for his exceptional dedication and sustained contributions to both PALTmed and post-acute and long-term care medicine. FPALTC is a prestigious, peer-reviewed credential that publicly acknowledges an individual’s ongoing dedication to the field of post-acute and long-term care medicine. PALTmed is the only national organization providing high-quality resources and education to interdisciplinary teams working in post-acute and long-term care settings, including medical directors, attending physicians, nurse practitioners, physician associates, consultant pharmacists, and clinicians with a doctoral degree. PALTmed leads the way in empowering compassionate and skilled clinicians to deliver person-centered care in the post-acute and long-term care continuum. Dr. Finger has served as a physician at NYC Health + Hospitals for more than 40 years in post-acute and long-term care delivery.

CITY & STATE NEW YORK RECOGNIZES TWO NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS LEADERS ON 2026 “BRONX POWER 100” LIST

NYC Health + Hospitals announced that two of its hospital CEOs were named to City & State New York’s “Bronx Power 100 List”. Each one is recognized for being a key member of their community, providing New Yorkers with access to high-quality, comprehensive health care while also advocating for their social and economic needs. NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi | North Central Bronx CEO Christopher Mastromano and NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln CEO Cristina Contreras rank 25th on the Bronx Power 100 List.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/WOODHULL APPOINTS CLIFFORD MILLER AS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull appointed Clifford Miller as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). With nearly three decades of experience, Miller brings a proven track record of operational leadership, emergency care innovation, and a deep commitment to serving at-risk communities. He began his new role on March 30, 2026.

Miller has served on Woodhull Hospital’s executive leadership team for the past 11 years, most recently as Associate Executive Director of Emergency Services. In this role, he oversaw the day-to-day operations of the Emergency Department, Patient Transportation, Admitting, Social Services, Patient Relations, and the Administrator on Duty Program, while leading hospital-wide capacity management initiatives.

SOCIAL WORKERS HONORED FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO THEIR PATIENTS

Forty-seven social workers from across the public health care System were honored for their commitment and dedication to their patients. More than 1,300 social workers are employed at the health System performing a variety of roles, including managers, therapists, researchers, discharge planners, and policymakers. In these positions they work closely with family caregivers, friends, neighbors and community-based agencies to help patients resume their life within the community. This year, over 1,000 nominations were submitted from across the system, and the 47 honorees were selected from this pool by their facility’s social work recognition committee. The honorees were recognized for their dedication to their patients and their passion for the mission of NYC Health + Hospitals.

In 2024, NYC Health + Hospitals launched a comprehensive effort to strengthen and expand its social work workforce, beginning with a recruitment campaign that resulted in more than 400 new hires and reduced the vacancy rate from 12% in 2024 to 5% in 2025. That same year, the System introduced the Social Work Training Academy to standardize training and enhance practice across its more than 1,000 social workers. The Academy supports professionals at all stages of their careers by streamlining clinical internship placements and behavioral health orientation, offering evidence-based practice training, providing continuing education, and helping social workers pursue licensure and advance into leadership roles. Since its launch, the Academy has trained over 950 social workers, strengthening both workforce capacity and patient outcomes.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS LEADERS RECOGNIZED BY CRAIN’S NEW YORK BUSINESS AMONG ‘2026 NOTABLE LEADERS IN HEALTH CARE’

NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue Chief Executive Officer Dr. Eric Wei, NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue Department of Anesthesiology, Chief of Service, Dr. Sudheer Jain, NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health Chief Executive Officer Michelle Lewis, and NYC Health + Hospitals System Chief Medical Officer for Clinical Affairs and Business Strategy Dr. Sewit Teckie have been named to the Crain’s New York Business ‘2026 Notable Leaders in Health Care’ recognition list. Dr. Wei, Dr. Jain, Lewis, and Dr. Teckie are recognized for their excellence in the health care sector and for their commitment to supporting underserved communities across New York City. The nominees were put forward for consideration by their peers, companies, and acquaintances, and then selected by Crain’s New York Business editors based on their demonstrated accomplishments, professional success, and meaningful contributions to their respective industries. Crain’s New York Business connects businesses across the five boroughs by providing analysis and opinion on how to navigate New York’s complex business and political landscape.

NORTH CENTRAL BRONX HOSPITAL’S WORKFORCE WELLNESS CHAMPION WINS SYSTEMWIDE HONOR

Alessia Hughes, Licensed Creative Arts Therapist and Associate Director of Health Care, was named the 2025 Amazing Employee of the Year across the entire NYC Health + Hospitals System. Hughes was selected from 53 nominees representing more than 20 facilities systemwide, with North Central Bronx Hospital’s grassroots voting effort outpacing larger hospitals that have historically received the award. In 2025 alone, Hughes logged 766 encounters through Helping Healers Heal, facilitated 443 individual and group debriefs, 323 wellness events, and 729 wellness rounds — serving all 50 units on campus at a 100% participation rate.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/CARTER EXPANDS AWARD-WINNING REHABILITATIVE CARE AS NEW OUTPATIENT SERVICE

NYC Health + Hospitals/Carter, the only Long-Term Acute Care Hospital (LTACH) in New York, announced it will begin offering outpatient services to patients seeking rehabilitative care including Physical therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Language Pathology, Audiology, and FEES (Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing), a diagnostic test for swallowing disorders. Currently, patients from NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, Metropolitan, and Harlem can be referred to Carter’s outpatient rehabilitation; later this year, services will be offered systemwide. This service expansion will accommodate more than 13,000 rehabilitation evaluations and care visits each year, promoting broader access and improving scheduling flexibility to meet the high demand.  Thanks to the generous donation of $110,000 from long-time benefactor Henry “Hank” J. Carter and Wheelchair Charities Inc., the Carter rehabilitation unit has received state-of-the-art equipment upgrades to meet the complex care needs of the community. 

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/LINCOLN AWARDED DESIGNATION AS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN LUNG CANCER SCREENING

NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln has been named a Center of Excellence by GO2 for Lung Cancer (GO2) – a nationally recognized organization that supports lung cancer care and research. This designation recognizes Lincoln Hospital for its ongoing commitment to providing the South Bronx community with patient-centered, evidence-based lung cancer screenings. As a designated GO2 Center of Excellence in lung cancer screening, NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln is committed to the principles of patient-centered communication and decision making across the entire care pathway.  That means that the hospital implements screening in accordance with current evidence and clinical guidelines developed by professional bodies such as the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), and coordinate patient follow-up, diagnostics, and transition to treatment through a multidisciplinary clinical process.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS EARNS ANCC PRACTICE TRANSITION ACCREDITATION PROGRAM (PTAP) DESIGNATION FOR NURSING EXCELLENCE

NYC Health + Hospitals’ Nursing Residency Program has earned accreditation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) through its Practice Transition Accreditation Program (PTAP). This prestigious designation recognizes the public health care system’s commitment to excellence in preparing newly licensed nurses for a successful transition into professional nursing practice. ANCC’s PTAP accreditation is widely regarded as the gold standard for nurse residency and fellowship programs. It affirms that NYC Health + Hospitals meets rigorous national standards for nurse transition-to-practice programming and distinguishes the health System as a premier destination for nurses entering or moving to new practice settings — underscoring its dedication to developing a highly skilled, confident, and supported nursing workforce.

HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND FACILITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCY EFFORTS HIGHLIGHTED IN NEW EPISODE OF NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS PODCAST THE REMEDY

NYC Health + Hospitals released a new episode of its podcast, The Remedy, featuring leaders and health care providers from the nation’s largest municipal health care system. In Season 3 Episode 6: Inside NYC’s Sustainable Health Care Revolution Dr. Michael Shen speaks with Chief Decarbonization Officer Omer Cabuk and Director of Energy Programs and Project Delivery Tennille Santos to discuss how the public health care system is transforming its hospitals, community health centers, and nursing homes by making them more sustainable, resilient, and efficient. From sweeping energy efficiency upgrades to large-scale rooftop solar projects, NYC Health + Hospitals has reduced operational carbon emissions by 30% since 2006, and plans to cut operational emissions in half by 2030. Tune in to hear more about how reducing energy use, slashing emissions, and preparing for climate disasters saves lives, strengthens hospitals, and creates more resilient, healthy communities.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/BELLEVUE INSTALLS NEW CT SCANNER IN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, ENHANCING SPEED AND PRECISION OF PATIENT CARE

NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue announced the installation of the first of two new computed tomography (CT) scanners in its emergency department, part of a nearly $7 million investment to strengthen rapid diagnosis and improve patient care in one of the country’s busiest emergency departments. CT scanners are among the most commonly used diagnostic tools in emergency medicine, providing fast, detailed, cross-sectional images of the body that enable clinicians to quickly identify injuries, strokes, internal bleeding, infections, and other potentially life-threatening conditions. Bellevue Hospital’s Emergency Department treats approximately 110,000 patients each year, many of whom require immediate and highly accurate imaging.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/WOODHULL WELCOMES DR. LESLIE A. HAYES AS CHIEF OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS

NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull announced the appointment of Leslie A. Hayes, MD as its new Chief of the Department of Pediatrics, marking an exciting new chapter in the hospital’s continued commitment to delivering high-quality, equitable care to children and families across North Brooklyn.

Dr. Hayes is a nationally respected physician-leader with extensive experience in public health, clinical pediatrics, and adolescent medicine, particularly in underserved communities throughout New York City. Most recently, she served as Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Family and Child Health at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, where she led the department’s largest division and advanced citywide initiatives to improve health outcomes for children and families.

Prior to her public health leadership role, Dr. Hayes was Chief of Adolescent Medicine at New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medical College, and Inaugural Faculty Scholar in Health Equity at Cornell University’s Center of Excellence. She is board certified in Pediatrics with a subspecialty in Adolescent Medicine.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/GOTHAM HEALTH RECEIVES $3.85 MILLION FROM BROOKLYN BOROUGH PRESIDENT ANTONIO REYNOSO TO ENHANCE PATIENT CARE ACROSS BROOKLYN

NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health announced a significant $3.85 million capital investment from Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso to support critical infrastructure upgrades and patient experience improvements across three Gotham Health centers in Brooklyn: East New York, Cumberland, and Brownsville. This funding reflects Gotham Health’s ongoing commitment to advancing health equity and expanding access to high quality care for all Brooklyn residents.

The largest portion of the allocation will support a major renovation of the Women’s Health and Pediatric areas at Gotham Health, East New York. Planned upgrades include a new lactation room, enhanced staff break space, and the integration of WIC (Women, Infants and Children) services directly into the clinical area to streamline support for families. The additional investments will support expanded clinical capacity, modernized equipment, and upgraded infrastructure across Gotham Health’s Brooklyn sites. These enhancements will strengthen essential services such as optometry, dental imaging, and climate control, ensuring patients receive high quality, equitable care in environments that are modern, comfortable, and responsive to community needs.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/BELLEVUE UNVEILS FIVE NEW ORTHOPEDIC SURGICAL TABLES TO ENHANCE PATIENT CARE AND SAFETY

NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue unveiled five new orthopedic surgical tables following a $500,000 internal investment, advancing patient safety, surgical precision, and the overall care experience. The new tables allow surgical teams to position patients more safely and accurately during complex orthopedic procedures, including hip and femur fracture repairs. The upgrade replaces aging equipment that had reached the end of its service life and could no longer be reliably repaired.

The specialized tables support a wide range of orthopedic procedures by enabling independent positioning of the legs and improved access to the pelvis and lower body. Their design allows for clear, uninterrupted imaging during surgery, helping clinicians make faster and more informed decisions in the operating room.

BRONX CHILDREN LIGHT UP AS NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/NORTH CENTRAL BRONX PUTS FREE BOOKS IN THEIR HANDS

When a child at NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx clutches a brand-new book for the first time and exclaims, “It’s mine!” — that moment is exactly what the Reach Out and Read program was designed for. For more than 15 years, the hospital’s Pediatric Primary Care Clinic has embedded the nationally recognized literacy initiative into routine well-child visits, distributing free, age-appropriate books to children, and turning a routine checkup into an entry to early childhood learning. In the past two years alone, nearly 80,000 young Bronx children ages 0 to 5 left their appointments with a book to call their own.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/NORTH CENTRAL BRONX GIVES PATIENT NEW LEASE ON LIFE

Ray Santana, a 64-year-old Bronx resident and longtime patient of NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx, was given just three days to live. Doctors warned that had he not received instant intervention, he would have suffered brain death.

Santana had been a functioning alcoholic for years, unaware that his drinking had quietly destroyed his heart muscle. He was eventually diagnosed with cardiomyopathy — a condition in which prolonged alcohol use weakens the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively.

At his worst, Santana could not walk, could not climb stairs, struggled to breathe, and suffered severe leg swelling. He had endured multiple hospitalizations across several facilities — including episodes requiring mechanical ventilation — before a cardiology referral brought him to Nurse Practitioner Blessy Varghese, MS, FNP, AGNP-C, CEN. 

Today, he has been sober for over two years — a transformation he credits to the care of Varghese at North Central Bronx Hospital’s Cardiology Clinic.

Santana came to North Central Bronx Hospital through the Emergency Room, suffering from a dangerously weak heart. He was admitted, stabilized, and eventually discharged — but his condition required continued care. He was referred back to the Cardiology Clinic and began the treatment journey that would ultimately transform his life.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/BELLEVUE RE-CERTIFIED AS A LEVEL I ADULT TRAUMA CENTER AND A LEVEL II PEDIATRIC TRAUMA CENTER

NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue announced that the American College of Surgeons (ACS) has re-certified the hospital as a Level I Adult Trauma Center and as a Level II Pediatric Trauma Center. Bellevue Hospital is the only Level I Adult Trauma Center and Level II Pediatric Trauma Center in Manhattan south of 68th Street. Level I trauma centers must be capable of providing comprehensive trauma care for all injuries, while Level II trauma centers are expected to provide initial definitive trauma care for a wide range of injuries and injury severity.

Bellevue Hospital has been a Level I Adult Trauma Center for decades, delivering state-of-the-art trauma care around the clock. In addition to providing acute trauma care, these centers have an important role in local trauma system development, regional disaster planning, increasing capacity, and advancing trauma care through research.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/BELLEVUE TO BRING COMBINED HEAT AND POWER SYSTEM ONLINE, CUTTING EMISSIONS AND STRENGTHENING RESILIENCE

A new Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system, also known as a cogeneration system, is coming online at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue imminently, substantially reducing the facility’s carbon footprint, improving efficiency, and reducing grid dependence. This milestone underscores the public health care system’s commitment to building a more sustainable and resilient future for its patients, providers, and communities. The cogeneration system simultaneously generates electricity and captures usable heat from a single fuel source, achieving overall efficiencies exceeding 80%, compared to 40–50% for conventional power generation. It is projected to generate more than 32.5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to power approximately 7,200 homes for a year, while delivering more than $2 million in annual utility cost savings. These savings will be reinvested into hospital operations to further enhance patient care and services for the communities Bellevue Hospital serves.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/GOTHAM HEALTH, SYDENHAM ANNOUNCES NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART 3D MAMMOGRAM MACHINE

NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health announced that a state-of-the-art 3D mammogram machine, which provides cutting-edge breast cancer detection and a more comfortable experience for patients, is now available at Gotham Health, Sydenham.  Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women, and early detection is crucial. Gotham Health, Sydenham, now offers 3D mammography, also known as Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT), which provides clearer, layer-by-layer images, allowing for higher cancer detection rates, particularly in patients with dense breast tissue. 3D mammography significantly reduces false positives (unnecessary callbacks) and is more accurate in detecting smaller, early-stage invasive cancers. 

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/QUEENS ACHIEVES CONTINUED RECOGNITION FROM THE ADA FOR EXCEPTIONAL DIABETES CARE

NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens announced that its Diabetes Self-Management Education Program has been awarded continued recognition from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) through its Education Recognition Program (ERP). The program was first recognized in June 2004 and continues to provide high-quality education services to the patients it serves. The ADA Education Recognition effort, initiated in 1986, is a voluntary process that assures approved education programs meet the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs. Programs achieving this recognition status are staffed by knowledgeable health professionals who provide state-of-the-art information about diabetes management that directly benefit community health outcomes.

ARTS IN MEDICINE UPDATE

ART IN HOSPITALS FEATURED IN NEW EPISODE OF NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS PODCAST THE REMEDY

NYC Health + Hospitals released a new episode of its podcast, The Remedy, featuring leaders and health care providers from the nation’s largest municipal health care system. InSeason 3 Episode 5: How Art Provides Healing in NYC Hospitals, Dr. Michael Shen sits down with Larissa Trinder, Assistant Vice President of NYC Health + Hospitals’ Arts in Medicine department, and renowned Brooklyn-based artist Mickalene Thomas, to explore the powerful intersection of creativity and patient care. Dive into the origins of one of the nation’s largest non-museum public art collections, discover how murals and mosaics shape the patient, staff, and family experience across NYC’s public hospitals, and learn why art is essential to comfort staff and improve patient care. From the healing intention behind the new Brooklyn mosaic dedicated to Ruth Bader Ginsburg by artist Mickalene Thomas to global research with the World Health Organization, learn how art boosts trust, equity, belonging, and even combats healthcare worker burnout. This episode highlights ongoing collaborations with local cultural leaders, how arts access is being reimagined, and what it means when art is cared for, protected, and embedded in every corner of a health system.

COMMUNITY MURAL PAINT PARTY AT NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/BELLEVUE

Over 100 participants, including staff, patients, and visitors, joined us in Bellevue’s South Lobby to make their mark on the latest community mural, “Before There was Asphalt / Gardens are Cities”, by artist Emma Kohlmann. The mural will be unveiled to the public in a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 28.

This project was made possible thanks to the funding and partnership of the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund.

HARMONIZING FOR HEALTH: PROGRAM PARTNERS CONVENING

Arts in Medicine, The Juilliard School, Yale School of Public Health, NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, and the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund gathered at The Juilliard School to reflect on what Harmonizing for Health, a pilot program Arts in Medicine facilitated for 6 months this past winter, has shown and to begin imagining what comes next. Early findings demonstrate that staff who participated in artist-led music sessions reported greater calm, more patience with patients, and effects that lasted well beyond the session itself. 100% of those who attended multiple sessions reported more patience and emotional energy for their patients.

ARTWORK INSTALLED AT NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/WOODHULL

Over 39 new works have been installed at four In-Patient Units, psychiatry emergency, and the addiction clinic. Each abstract work was intentionally selected with patients and staff in consideration. The selections include works by a few renowned artists, including Eduardo Ojeda, Domingo López, and Arnold Hoffmann Jr., who are all a part of the Arts in Medicine visual collection.

ARTWORK INSTALLED AT NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/JACOBI

Over 15 new works have been installed at the 9th Floor Behavioral Health Unit. These vibrant pieces include the works of a few renowned artists, including Jim Dine, Charles Ford, and Andrew Stasik, who are all a part of the Arts in Medicine visual collection.

METROPLUSHEALTH UPDATE

IMPROVED MPH CAHPS PERFORMANCE DEMONSTRATES VALUE OF INTEGRATED CARE SYSTEM

Across Medicaid and HIV SNP, MetroPlusHealth met or exceeded statewide averages in all nine CAHPS measures. This performance indicates that members’ experiences with MetroPlusHealth are now comparable to—or exceed—those of peer plans statewide, reflecting sustained improvements in access to care, provider interactions, and perceptions of the health plan.

MEDICAID

In Medicaid, MetroPlusHealth performed strongly, with notable gains in Rating of Personal Doctor, Rating of Specialist, and Rating of Health Plan. These measures are closely tied to continuity of care, appointment availability, and member trust, and reflect ongoing efforts to improve care navigation and access in alignment with NYC Health + Hospitals’ system-wide patient experience priorities.

HIV SPECIAL NEEDS PLAN

In HIV SNP, MetroPlusHealth exceeded statewide averages in five of nine CAHPS measures: Getting Care Quickly, Rating of Health Care, Rating of Specialist, Rating of Health Plan, and Rating of Treatment or Counseling. The strongest gains were observed in access-related measures and overall plan ratings—critical indicators for members with complex, ongoing care needs.

HEALTH AND RECOVERY PLAN (HARP)

In HARP, MetroPlusHealth achieved a perfect CAHPS score — 20 out of 20 points — within the State’s Quality Incentive Program. This result places MetroPlusHealth among the highest-performing plans serving members with complex behavioral health needs, underscoring the effectiveness of its coordinated behavioral health and integrated care management model.

SYSTEM IMPLICATIONS

Strong CAHPS results indicate that members feel supported, can access care when needed, and trust the services provided—factors closely associated with higher engagement and improved health outcomes. Improvements in access reflect sustained collaboration with NYC Health + Hospitals to reduce barriers and strengthen care coordination across clinical settings.

Overall, the Fall 2025 Adult CAHPS results demonstrate how aligned priorities and integrated operations across MetroPlusHealth and NYC Health + Hospitals are improving member experience while supporting long-term system value.

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS UPDATE

CITY

On April 20th, NYC Health + Hospitals was invited to participate in the City Council hearing “Oversight: Examining NYC Health + Hospital’s SHOW Vans Initiative”. Dr. Ted Long, Chief Medical Officer, Clinical Services and Population Health provided testimony and participated in Q&A, and Jason Hansman, Deputy Chief Strategy Officer for the Office of Behavioral Health also participated in Q&A.

STATE

The NYS budget is now over three weeks late as the budget for State Fiscal Year 2026-2027, which began on April 1st, has yet to be finalized. The Legislature has so far passed a series of seven budget extender bills which has enabled the State to keep the government running while negotiations are ongoing. We continue to advocate for our NYC Health + Hospitals priorities until the final budget is enacted.

Our priorities continue to focus on filling problems created by H.R. 1 and related federal cuts. These include, but are not limited to, providing additional Medicaid operating investments for hospitals, nursing homes, and health centers. In addition to advocating for new Medicaid operating funds, we are also advocating for restoration of prior capital cuts for our hospitals and nursing homes.

FEDERAL

We are continuing our advocacy to delay the H.R. 1 provisions that restrict premium tax credit eligibility, while continuing regular advocacy on other issues. While continuing regular advocacy on other issues, including eliminating remaining Medicaid DSH cuts, permanently extending telehealth flexibilities, and preventing Medicare site neutral cuts. 

COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

In honor of National Volunteer Month, we highlighted the CABs across our system on social media, showcasing their impact on their community.

The Council of CABs met on April 7th and received a presentation from Arts in Medicine, learning about the program’s impact on patients and staff and about social prescribing as a model to support patients.

The Community Affairs Team hosted the 2nd annual Community Affairs Staff Recognition Luncheon on April 22nd. Over 40 individuals gathered to celebrate the Community Affairs staff systemwide. This year’s recipient of The Jackie Rowe-Adams Community Affairs Staff of the Year Award was Nyron McLeish. Nyron was also honored with a Proclamation from New York State Senator José Serrano. Deborah Brown, Senior Vice President and Chief External Affairs Officer, received a commendation from New York City Comptroller Mark Levine. Both Nyron McLeish and Deb Brown received proclamations from NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and the Community Affairs staff received certificates of recognition from their respective Borough Presidents.

NYC CARE

Last week, the NYC Care health care access program won Bronze at The Hispanic Marketing Council’s awards in the content creator & consumer engagement category. This category highlights excellence in the usage of multicultural insights to develop a content/influencer strategy that targets key demographics. NYC Care beat out other major brands in this category including Toyota, Spectrum, and Unilever.

CONTRACT DEVIATIONS REPORT

I approved one deviation this past month.

Consistent with our operating procedure, I recently approved a deviation from our procurement policy to increase the not-to-exceed amount to $22 million for a contract for legal services with Ropes and Gray, LLP, which supports legal work that is essential to the Maimonides transaction.  The costs will be covered by the New York State grant supporting the overall transaction.

REAL ESTATE UPDATE

During the first quarter of 2026, NYC Health + Hospitals executed six license agreements across four facilities — Bellevue, Lincoln, Seaview, and Woodhull — encompassing social services, community arts programming, and retail food operations totaling approximately 12,000 square feet.

NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue — Mental Health Legal Services An amendment to an existing five-year license agreement with Mental Health Legal Services took effect February 4, 2026, covering 1,338 square feet on the 19th floor. The no-fee arrangement supports access to legal counsel for patients with mental health needs.

NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln — SOMOS Community Care A new five-year license agreement with SOMOS Community Care, a community-based health organization, was executed for 160 square feet at $9,600 annually, with an effective date of April 6, 2026. The agreement expands access to social services for Lincoln Hospital’s patients and was competitively valued against third-party assessments of neighborhood commercial space.

NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln — Public Health Solutions Public Health Solutions, a leading NYC public health nonprofit, executed a five-year license for 80 square feet of clinical support space, at no fee, effective March 5, 2026. The arrangement strengthens Lincoln Hospital’s capacity to connect patients with community health resources and wrap-around social services.

NYC Health + Hospitals/Seaview — Staten Island Ballet Theater The Staten Island Ballet Theater entered into a five-year license for 5,000 square feet in the Laboratory Building, executed March 5, 2026, with no monetary fee. In lieu of rent, the Ballet provides complimentary tickets and on-site performances for Seaview patients and staff.

NYC Health + Hospitals/Seaview — Grace Foundation of New York The Grace Foundation of New York, which provides food access and workforce development programming, executed a five-year license for 2,000 square feet in the cafeteria space, effective March 31, 2026, at no fee. The partnership advances the system’s commitment to addressing social determinants of health, providing both nutritious food options and job training opportunities for community members.

NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull — Healthy Choice Gourmet VI Healthy Choice Gourmet VI executed a five-year license for 3,747 square feet of lobby restaurant and kiosk space at Woodhull, effective February 24, 2026, generating $84,000 annually — or $420,000 over the term — in license revenue for the facility. The agreement was established based on a third-party fair market value assessment of comparable retail food services.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE SYSTEM

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