City & State New York Recognizes Two NYC Health + Hospitals Leaders On 2025 “Asian Trailblazers” List
NYC Health + Hospitals Chief Biopreparedness Officer Syra Madad and NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst CFO Roger Zhu are recognized on the list of more than 50 individuals
May 08, 2025
NYC Health + Hospitals announced that NYC Health + Hospitals Chief Biopreparedness Officer Syra Madad and NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst Chief Financial Officer Roger Zhu have been named to City & State New York’s inaugural “Asian Trailblazers” list for 2025. In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, City & State New York has released its inaugural Asian Trailblazers list, honoring more than 50 distinguished individuals of Asian descent who have made meaningful contributions across industries and communities throughout New York. The list highlights the honorees’ extensive experience, leadership, and service, showcasing their ties to a wide range of cultural backgrounds, including Chinese, Indian, Filipino, Korean, Vietnamese, Bangladeshi, South Korean, Hong Kong, Taiwanese, and more. City & State New York is a media organization dedicated to covering New York’s local and state politics and policy through in-depth, non-partisan coverage.
“I’m deeply honored to be included among such inspiring leaders whose roots reflect the strength and diversity of our city,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Chief Biopreparedness Officer Syra Madad. “As someone dedicated to protecting public health and preparing for future threats, I see this recognition as a testament to the collective work of so many who strive every day to keep our communities safe and resilient.”
“It’s a privilege to be part of a team that’s committed to delivering exceptional care, especially at a facility like Elmhurst that truly represents the spirit of Queens,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst Chief Financial Officer Roger Zhu. “This recognition means a great deal to me, and I hope it inspires the next generation of Asian American leaders to continue shaping the future of health care and public service.”
Dr. Syra Madad, DHSc, MSc, MCP, CHEP, is the Chief Biopreparedness Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals, where she leads the systemwide special pathogens team in preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery efforts. She oversees the development of biopreparedness strategies and training programs focused on screening, infection control, patient management, and PPE use. Dr. Madad also directs simulations and exercises, manages the special pathogens internship and climate health fellowship programs, and monitors global infectious disease trends. Beyond her role at NYC Health + Hospitals, she is Core Faculty at the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center, affiliate faculty at Boston University’s Center for Emerging Infectious Disease Policy & Research, and a Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center. She serves as an advisor to both the World Health Organization’s Technical Advisory Group on the Responsible Use of the Life Sciences and the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity.
Roger Zhu, MPH, is the Chief Financial Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, overseeing the $1 billion budget, where he has also successfully addressed multiple registration and billing challenges, significantly improving the hospital’s revenue collection by 62% within three years. Zhu has over 27 years of experience with NYC Health + Hospitals, holding key leadership roles in grants management, finance, and revenue cycle operations. He has managed multi-million-dollar budgets, led major system implementations, and driven significant improvements in revenue and operational efficiency. Zhu is known for his collaborative leadership and deep expertise in healthcare finance. He holds two bachelor’s degrees from Baruch College and a Master of Public Health from the University of Bridgeport.
###
MEDIA CONTACT: Press Office
#072-25
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlus health plan—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 43,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
