PoliticsNY and amNY Metro’s “2024 Power Players in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” Recognizes Carlos Cabrera and Ivelesse Mendez-Justiniano
MetroPlusHealth’s Senior Director of Talent Recruitment and NYC Health + Hospitals’ Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer are recognized for enacting policies that promote an equitable future for all
Aug 21, 2024
NYC Health + Hospitals today announced that MetroPlusHealth’s Senior Director of Talent Recruitment Carlos Cabrera and NYC Health + Hospitals’ Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer Ivelesse Mendez-Justiniano have been named to the PoliticsNY and amNY Metro “2024 Power Players in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” recognition list. Both are celebrated as dynamic leaders taking concrete steps to ensure that their organizations reflect the communities they serve, in alignment with the mission and values of NYC Health + Hospitals. Cabrera has prioritized diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in his role, contributing to the organization’s growth while substantially reducing vacancy rates. Mendez-Justiniano has championed DEI across her portfolio, setting ambitious milestones for NYC Health + Hospitals to meet and exceed, and grounding her approach in the Health System’s mission to ensure that employees and patients are treated equitably. The 2024 Power Players in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is part of a monthly series by PoliticsNY and amNY Metro on New York’s ‘Power Players,’ including business executives, educators, government affairs experts, and nonprofit directors.
Carlos Cabrera is Senior Director of Talent Recruitment for MetroPlusHealth. He is a leader with a proven track record in health care recruitment and talent acquisition. Since March 2020, his strategic vision and leadership have significantly contributed to the company’s growth with the successful implementation of innovative tools and strategies. Cabrera has substantially reduced MetroPlusHealth’s vacancy rates and effectively assembled a talented group of diverse senior leaders, emphasizing DEI. His commitment to excellence has played a pivotal role in shaping MetroPlusHealth’s recruitment initiatives.
Prior to his role at MetroPlusHealth, Mr. Cabrera was Director of Talent Acquisition at Archcare, identifying and securing top-tier talent. Prior to that, he was with the Workforce1 Healthcare Center, where he excelled as an Account Manager, earning him a promotion to Assistant Center Director and eventually Center Director. Under his guidance, the center consistently exceeded system goals, earning recognition as the model center for three consecutive years. Cabrera’s career reflects a passion for building high-performing teams and driving success in health care recruitment and talent acquisition.
Ivelesse Mendez-Justiniano leads a portfolio encompassing Diversity and Inclusion, Strategy Development, Language Access, LGBTQ+ Equity, Health Equity, Workforce & Organizational Development, The Corporate Learning Academy, Talent Management, Volunteer Management, and Leadership Development. During her tenure at NYC Health + Hospitals, she has held several progressive leadership roles overseeing Patient Relations, Interpreter Services, Quality Management, Graduate Medical Education, and LEAN/Breakthrough. Mendez-Justiniano has also taught at the graduate level at the Metropolitan College of New York.
Mendez-Justiniano is adept and engaged in working with internal and external stakeholders. She is the Co-Chair of the NYC Board of Education Technical Education Council. She serves on the Advisory Councils for CUNY Community Colleges, Metropolitan College of New York, and NYC College of Technology (CUNY). Mendez-Justiniano is a member of the Mayor’s Talent Interagency Cabinet and a Fellow of America’s Essential Hospitals.
Under Mendez-Justiniano’s leadership, the system has received global recognition in several areas, including: the Diversiton-International Diversity Champion and International Inclusion Awards; The Training Apex Top 100 Training Organizations; Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Best HR Team; Brandon Hall Gold Award, Best Learning Team; Brandon Hall Excellence in Learning Award; and Training Top 125- Global Training Elite. Mendez-Justiniano has been named to the Chief Learning Officers & Influencers Forum: Hall of Fame, Europe.
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About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public 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 https://www.nychealthandhospitals.org/ and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About MetroPlusHealth
Since 1985, MetroPlusHealth has built a reputation for providing New Yorkers with access to affordable, quality health care at little to no cost. MetroPlusHealth is the plan of choice for over 685,000 New Yorkers and offers members a diversity of services and resources to address their unique health care needs. Its network includes 34,000 doctors, specialists, and participating hospitals and clinics across the city’s five boroughs. For more information, visit https://www.metroplus.org/.