REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS – December 2025

Mitchell H. Katz, MD
NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
December 18, 2025

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS EMPLOYEE AND FACILITY RECOGNITIONS

FIVE HEALTH SYSTEM HOSPITALS NAMED TO U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT 2026 BEST HOSPITALS FOR MATERNITY CARE

Five NYC Health + Hospitals facilities were recognized by U.S. News & World Report as 2026 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care: NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, Kings County, Lincoln, South Brooklyn Health, and Woodhull. U.S. News evaluated 817 hospitals from across the United States, and only half of all hospitals evaluated for its 2026 ratings edition have been recognized as Best Hospitals for Maternity Care. The award’s methodology is based on objective measures of quality, such as C-section rates in lower-risk pregnancies, severe unexpected newborn complication rates, exclusive breast milk feeding rates, birthing-friendly practices, vaginal birth after cesarean and reporting on racial/ethnic disparities, among other measures. All five hospitals were recognized for avoiding unnecessary C-sections and achieving above-average rates of Vaginal Birth After Cesarean.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS CELEBRATES 35 NURSES AND SIX HOSPITALS AT ANNUAL NURSING EXCELLENCE AWARDS

35 nurse professionals from across the health care System were honored as part of its annual Nursing Excellence Awards. The honorees were selected from 524 nominations and include nurses from each of the systems’ facilities and clinical service lines, including acute care, post-acute, correctional health services, community care, and Gotham Health. Twenty-five nurses were recognized for Excellence in Clinical Nursing, and five nurses were recognized systemwide for their efforts in leadership, volunteering, education and mentorship, home or ambulatory care, and technology and innovation. Another five nurses received the DAISY Award for Nurses Advancing Health Equity, created by the DAISY Foundation to honor nurses who go above and beyond in caring for patients and families who are disadvantaged demographically, psycho-socially, or economically. The sixth annual Structural Empowerment Award was presented to the nursing leadership and staff at NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan for their commitment to achieving higher performance levels, including increases in certification rates and other notable metrics. The sixth annual Josephine Bolus Nursing Champion Award – NYC Health + Hospitals’ most prestigious designation bestowed upon supporters of nurses and the nursing profession — was presented to Ena Williams, PhD, MBA, RN, CNEP, FAAN, FADLN, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive at Yale New Haven Health.

CITY & STATE NEW YORK ‘2025 STATEN ISLAND TRAILBLAZERS’ RECOGNIZES MATTHEW LEVY, CEO OF NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/SEA VIEW

City & State New York recognized Matthew Levy, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Sea View, for his outstanding leadership, forward-thinking approach, and significant contributions to improving health care and strengthening community wellbeing throughout Staten Island. The inaugural “2025 Staten Island Trailblazers” list, by City & State New York and covering the borough of Staten Island (Richmond County), recognizes local leaders whose work is driving meaningful change across the borough’s civic, business, nonprofit, and health care sectors. The 2025 edition spotlights those who combine professional achievement with a commitment to community impact.

NYC CARE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JONATHAN JIMÉNEZ, MD, MPH, NAMED ‘EMERGING TRAILBLAZER HONOREE’ BY ALMA MATER COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

Dr. Jonathan Jiménez, Executive Director of the NYC Care program and family physician at NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Cumberland, was named ‘Emerging Trailblazer Honoree’ for 2025 by the Latino Alumni Association of Columbia University (LAACU). Dr. Jiménez, a graduate of the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in 2015, is recognized for his leadership and excellence in public health and for the contributions he has made to both the Columbia and greater Latinx communities. Dr. Jiménez has implemented strategies to grow NYC Care membership beyond NYC Health + Hospitals’ initial goal of 100,000 members to over 130,000, introduced new benefits for members such as durable medical equipment, and spearheaded partnerships with community-based organizations. In both his role as executive director and physician, Dr. Jiménez has championed the needs of immigrants, particularly those in the Hispanic/Latinx community who make up approximately 66% of NYC Care members.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/BELLEVUE ANESTHESIOLOGIST DR. KENNETH M. SUTIN NAMED TO CRAIN’S 2025 NOTABLE LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue announced that Dr. Kenneth M. Sutin, Associate Chief of Service in the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care & Pain Medicine and Director of the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit at Bellevue Hospital, was named one of Crain’s New York Business 2025 Notable Leaders in Sustainability, which honors professionals advancing sustainability across sectors for driving meaningful progress toward a cleaner, more equitable future. Dr. Sutin launched the Fresh Gas Flow Project in 2022, to monitor the environmental, health, and financial impacts of gas leaks in the Bellevue Hospital’s central nitrous oxide systems. The Project has reduced the use of nitrous oxide at the hospital by 97%, and has led to a 52% annual reduction in anesthesia-related carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) emission in anesthesia practices systemwide. Nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide, can persist in the atmosphere for over 100 years.

HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND FACILITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS LAUNCHES $32.2 MILLION INITIATIVE TOSUPPORT PATIENTS WITH COMPLEX BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS AFTER THEY LEAVE THE HOSPITAL

The health care System announced the launch of new teams to support patients after they leave the hospital. New Critical Time Intervention teams will serve adults who have had multiple psychiatric hospital or emergency visits within the last year and provide follow-up care for up to nine months. Funded by the New York State Office of Mental Health, the $32.2 million teams include nurses, social workers, care managers, mental health professionals, and peer specialists and are funded for five years. Services include accompanying patients home on discharge day, helping them access follow-up care in the community, supporting personal goal-setting, and assisting them with securing public benefits and entitlements to address their basic needs. Critical Time Intervention teams will be available at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, Jacobi, Kings County, Metropolitan, and Queens and are projected to serve up to 650 patients a year.

These teams will complement NYC Health + Hospitals’ Peer Bridger program, which pairs patients discharged from a Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP) with certified Peer Counselors to provide support for up to several months after they leave the hospital. Peer Counselors, who have lived experience with mental health or substance use challenges, will help patients connect with outpatient services, psychosocial clubhouses, transportation resources, and community-based supports such as libraries, food pantries, and crisis respite programs. Peers are uniquely positioned to serve patients with complex and co-morbid mental health and substance use disorder needs, and they can connect to traditionally hard-to-reach patients by sharing their lived experience to support recovery. The Peer Bridger program is available at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, Elmhurst, Harlem, Jacobi, Kings County, North Central Bronx, Queens, and Woodhull.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/SOUTH BROOKLYN HEALTH RECOGNIZED FOR HIGHEST QUALITY STROKE CARE BY THE JOINT COMMISSION

NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health announced its designation as a Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center by the Joint Commission. This recognition confirms the hospital meets rigorous standards for performing endovascular thrombectomy, the procedure to remove a blood clot from an artery in order to restore blood flow to vital organs. When completed within 24 hours of a stroke, a thrombectomy can save a patient from permanent organ damage or death.

Today’s designation follows 18 months of milestones that highlight both clinical innovation and operational excellence in the hospital’s stroke care. South Brooklyn Health treated its first thrombectomy case in May 2024, and in December 2024, the hospital conducted its first endovascular aneurysm repair. In January 2024, the hospital opened a Neuro-critical Care Unit to enhance its ability to care for patients with complex neurological challenges. In March, the hospital launched 24/7 thrombectomy operations, ensuring life-saving stroke care around the clock. In October, the hospital launched its first Stroke Support Group, providing survivors and their families with vital education, connection, and healing.

FOR WORLD AIDS DAY, NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS REMINDS NEW YORKERS OF RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR HIV TESTING AND TREATMENT

In recognition of World AIDS Day on December 1, NYC Health + Hospitals reminded New Yorkers that affordable, patient-centered, nonjudgmental, culturally appropriate, gender-affirming care is available for patients seeking testing, prevention, or treatment for HIV. Each of the System’s 11 acute care hospitals and six Gotham Health community clinics are NYS-recognized centers for HIV care, providing state-of-the-art, high-quality HIV prevention and treatment services, including the use of new long-acting prevention or treatment options that eliminate the need for daily pills.

NYC Health + Hospitals has successfully engaged and treated thousands of patients living with HIV. Of the over 13,000 patients with HIV who engaged in primary care at NYC Health + Hospitals over the past 12 months, 98% were on antiretroviral therapy and 89% had suppressed viral loads. The health system tested over 230,000 people for HIV in 2024. NYC Health + Hospitals has one third of the New York State’s Designated AIDS Centers, which provide patient-centered care, antiretroviral therapy (ART), virtual care appointments, and special clinic-based outreach programs.

As a part of the day, NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue hosted “Looking Back, Looking Forward: 40 Years of HIV Care at Bellevue,” a panel discussion with Dr. Robert Holzman, Dr. Ofole Mgbako, and long-term survivors. Dr. Holzman, Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Environmental Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, was recognized as “Bellevue’s first epidemiologist.” His address recounted his experience providing direct care to some of the first New Yorkers with HIV/AIDS and his historical perspective on the early AIDS response at Bellevue.

Additionally, NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi hosted a patient art exhibit and a parade for change where attendees wore red to show support for those who have been affected by HIV and honor lives lost. Jacobi Hospital staff marched alongside community members to provide HIV education, prevention resources, and testing PrEP screenings.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/SOUTH BROOKLYN HEALTH APPOINTS SELWENA R. BREWSTER, MD, MBA AS CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER

NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health announced the appointment of Selwena R. Brewster, MD, MBA as Chief Medical Officer where she will oversee clinical operations to ensure high-quality patient care and the continued strategic success of the institution. In this role, she will lead the medical staff, develop and implement clinical policies, manage medical budgets, and ensure full compliance with state, federal, and regulatory requirements. Her appointment was effective November 7.

Dr. Brewster brings a distinguished clinical background in both Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine, a dual foundation that allows her to bridge frontline medical practice with strategic operational leadership. Throughout her career with South Brooklyn Health and NYC Health + Hospitals, she has led transformative initiatives that strengthened clinical quality, enhanced patient outcomes, and elevated standards of care across multiple service lines. Her previous role as Associate Chief Medical Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County further underscored her ability to effect system-wide improvements and foster collaboration across large, multidisciplinary teams.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/METROPOLITAN ACHIEVES CENTRAL LINE-ASSOCIATED BLOODSTREAM INFECTION RATE OF ZERO

NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan announced that it has earned national recognition for achieving a central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rate of zero — one of 338 hospitals nationwide to reach this significant distinction. The achievement is based on data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) metrics, which benchmark hospital safety and infection prevention nationwide and reflects performance reported through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Healthcare Safety Network, the nation’s most comprehensive infection surveillance system.

Achieving a CLABSI rate of zero requires hospitals to have a strong, facility-wide focus on evidence-based clinical practices, precise central line insertion and maintenance techniques, and strict adherence to infection-prevention standards. This involves collaboration across the institution — spanning infection prevention, nursing, critical care, and quality — to regularly assess device necessity, conduct maintenance audits, improve documentation, and reinforce sterile procedures.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/ELMHURST, QUEENS AWARDED DESIGNATION AS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN LUNG CANCER SCREENING

NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst and Queens have been named a Center of Excellence for Lung Cancer Screening by GO2 for Lung Cancer (GO2) for its ongoing commitment to providing the Queens community with patient-centered, evidence-based lung cancer screening. An estimated 237,000 Americans are diagnosed with lung cancer annually, with most cases found at an advanced stage of the disease.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/BELLEVUE CELEBRATES NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART GROSSING ROOM

NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue opened its newly renovated grossing room, a major investment in the hospital’s Pathology Department that will significantly enhance diagnostic capacity, safety, and workflow efficiency. A grossing station is a specialized workspace where pathologists and laboratory technologists/technicians examine and prepare tissue samples for diagnostic analysis. The $400,000 renovation replaces outdated equipment and expands the number of functional grossing stations from two to five, supporting the hospital’s growing patient volume and its role as a teaching site for pathology residents. Grossing refers to the initial, macroscopic examination and dissection of surgical specimens, where tissue is measured, described, and sectioned to identify potential areas of concern. This critical first step, combined with subsequent microscopic evaluation, is used to detect tumors, diagnose infections, identify inflammatory conditions, and uncover genetic disorders.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/NORTH CENTRAL BRONX CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF SIMULATION TRAINING

NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx celebrated 10 years of In-Situ Simulation Education at its Annual Women and Children Simulation Fair. The event showcased the hospital’s commitment to preparing health care teams for critical, life-threatening situations through hands-on training. The fair featured 21 stations offering specialized training in rare but crucial emergency scenarios. Simulation exercises included intraosseous IV-line placement in infants, video-assisted intubation with GlideScope technology, cardiac strip interpretation, and IV insertion techniques. The hospital’s OBGYN, Pediatrics, and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit departments organized the event, which drew 107 registered participants from across multiple disciplines.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/BELLEVUE COLLABORATES WITH TAIWAN CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL TO ADVANCE SPECIAL PATHOGENS PREPAREDNESS

NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue hosted a visiting registered nurse from Taiwan as part of an international collaboration with the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) to strengthen special pathogens preparedness. Registered Nurse Shan Lin, from the Airborne Isolation Intensive Care Unit at the National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH), spent the week at Bellevue Hospital to learn about the hospital’s Special Pathogens Program – from operational readiness and unit design to training models and multidisciplinary coordination. Her visit is part of a Taiwan CDC-commissioned initiative to develop advanced facilities, staffing structures, and clinical systems capable of safely managing patients with high-consequence infectious diseases. The exchange supports Taiwan’s national effort to strengthen special pathogen preparedness through the creation of three Special Pathogen Technology Care Demonstration Centers, modeled after the United States’ ten Regional Emerging Special Pathogens Treatment Centers. Bellevue Hospital is the Regional Emerging Special Pathogens Treatment Center for New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/WOODHULL HONORS BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS IN CELEBRATION OF STRENGTH, HOPE, AND HEALING

NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull hosted a special celebration to honor Breast Cancer Survivors, bringing patients, staff, and community members together in a tribute to survivors’ courage, hope, and healing. Woodhull Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Sandra Sneed joined staff and guests to recognize the remarkable resilience of survivors and the compassionate teams who support them each day. The celebration featured a keynote address by Simone I. Smith — entrepreneur, philanthropist, designer, and 21-year cancer survivor — who shared her personal journey and words of encouragement with the attendees.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/BELLEVUE SCHOOL OF RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY CELEBRATES 51ST GRADUATING CLASS

NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue School of Radiologic Technology celebrated the commencement of its 51st graduating class, awarding diplomas to 20 students who have completed the rigorous, 24-month Radiologic Technology program. Since its founding in 1972 and the graduation of its first cohort in 1974, the school has trained more than 700 imaging professionals. Today, 40 students are enrolled across the first- and second-year classes. All academic, laboratory, and clinical instruction is conducted on-site at Bellevue Hospital, offering students unparalleled exposure to high-acuity, real-world learning in one of the nation’s oldest and most storied public hospitals. Graduates are eligible to apply for American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification and New York State licensure. Graduates will enter the health care field as highly sought-after, licensed professionals in roles including Radiologic Technologist, Mammography Technologist, MRI Technologist, and CT Technologist. Their expertise will strengthen diagnostic and clinical services, meeting a growing demand for advanced imaging and specialized patient care across New York City and beyond.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/ELMHURST RECEIVES $1M IN ADVANCED SURGICAL MICROSCOPE EQUIPMENT FUNDED BY THE QUEENS BOROUGH PRESIDENT

NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the acquisition of three new state-of-the-art Leica surgical microscopes, made possible through $1 million in funding from Queens Borough President Donovan Richards. This latest investment adds to the more than $12 million in capital funding that the hospital has received from Borough President Richards to enhance services at Queens’ largest public hospital. The new microscopes will significantly enhance surgical care across multiple specialties, including ENT, Neurosurgery, and General Surgery, and will give surgical teams the ability to see high resolution images of arteries and other parts of the body in fine, sharp anatomical detail. The advanced imagery provided by the microscopes will also help surgeons operate with greater accuracy, leading to improved overall health outcomes.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/QUEENS DISTRIBUTES 48 “GOBBLE BAGS” TO SUPPORT FAMILIES FOR THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens distributed 48 Thanksgiving “Gobble Bags” to patients and families across the borough. Each bag weighed approximately 40 pounds, totaling roughly 1,920 pounds of food distributed to community members in need. The hospital collected nearly $1,300 in cash donations and accepted in-kind donations of nonperishable items from staff. Those funds were used by the Patient Experience team to purchase groceries and gift cards for the bags. Altogether, 48 families received Gobble Bags. Ten of the bags were provided directly to families identified by the hospital’s Social Work team; those 10 bags also included a turkey donated by Tony Hiralall of Vision Protech Solutions, and a $25 gift card. The remaining 38 bags were split evenly between two partner churches: United Apostle Church (St. Albans) and New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ (Springfield Gardens).

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/BELLEVUE DISTRIBUTES TURKEYS AND SHARES HOLIDAY MEALS WITH PATIENTS TO CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING

Bellevue Hospital celebrated Thanksgiving this year with a series of events that reflect the institution’s longstanding commitment to caring for patients, families, and the broader community. In partnership with New York State Assembly Member Harvey Epstein, New York State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, and the National Supermarket Association, Bellevue Hospital distributed 82 Thanksgiving turkeys to patients and families. This annual effort underscores the importance of giving, especially at a time when food insecurity continues to affect many New Yorkers. The donation represents the strength of Bellevue’s community partnerships and the shared belief that everyone deserves a meaningful holiday meal.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/MCKINNEY HOSTS ITS ANNUAL ADOPT-A-RESIDENT PRE-THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION

The post-acute site hosted its annual ‘Adopt-A-Resident for the Holidays’ Pre-Thanksgiving celebration dedicated to bringing holiday spirit into the lives of its nursing home residents. McKinney staff accompanied more than 50 residents all dressed in their best holiday attire to share a memorable Thanksgiving experience, including a full dinner spread of turkey with all the fixings, live music, and a celebratory toast with sparkling cider.

For nearly 20 years, McKinney has hosted this holiday gathering to spread joy and provide companionship to residents, while listening to shared stories about their childhood and most memorable moments with family and friends. At a time when family visits are less frequent and feelings of loneliness and seasonal depression can become more prevalent during the winter months, McKinney staff offer a listening ear, a smile, or a laugh to keep residents’ spirits up.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/BELLEVUE CELEBRATES MILESTONE OF 300TH GRADUATE FROM HEART HEALTH CARDIAC REHABILITATION AND WELLNESS PROGRAM

The 300th patient graduated from NYC Health + Hospital/Bellevue’s Cardiac Rehabilitation and Wellness program. The program, launched in 2020, supports patients who have recently undergone a cardiac procedure, such as an angioplasty and stent placement or valve surgery, or cardiac event, such as a heart attack, or are at risk because of symptoms such as high blood pressure, heart failure or diabetes. The program provides a holistic approach to cardiac recovery, including supervised medical care, exercise training, nutrition guidance, behavioral health, and addressing social determinants of health. Almost half of graduates have achieved optimal blood pressure control, one third of graduates have improved their ability to exercise longer, and most found improvement in depression scores. Treatment and coaching are offered via in-person, virtual, and hybrid options.

Demand for the program remains exceptionally high. While most referrals come from within the NYC Health + Hospitals network, a notable portion of patients are referred from outside Bellevue Hospital, underscoring the program’s regional reputation for excellence. The Bellevue Hospital cardiac rehabilitation team includes members from diverse specializations, including cardiologists, physiatrists, nurse practitioners, registered dietitians, exercise physiologists, registered nurses, occupational therapists, and patient care associates. Expansion of the team and equipment has served to increase access and allow for more tailored and effective treatment for the growing needs of the NYC Health + Hospitals patient population.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/METROPOLITAN ADVANCES COMMUNITY HEALTH THROUGH COMPASSIONATE, NEED-DRIVEN INITIATIVES

NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan announced initiatives designed to meet the most urgent health and social needs of the East Harlem community as part of the hospital’s ongoing commitment to ensure its neighbors’ wellbeing. In September, October, and November, Metropolitan Hospital hosted a community thrift shop, coat and canned food drives, a baby shower for 60 high-risk, expectant mothers, and a fundraising campaign that collected more than $20,000 for breast cancer awareness. Collectively, these efforts reflect Metropolitan Hospital’s focus on advancing the health and everyday well-being of its patients and the community.

The hospital’s thrift shop, launched in October, provided patients, families, and neighbors with access to affordable, high-quality clothing, shoes, jackets, and accessories. The event offered not only tangible support, but dignity and inclusion for community members navigating economic and other hardships. Building on this effort, Metropolitan Hospital launched a winter coat drive in November providing free warm coats to help ensure the comfort and safety of those without adequate protection against the cold. Complementing these initiatives, the hospital also coordinated a canned food drive in November to help address food insecurity, an issue that affects the health of many of its patients and their children.

As part of its ongoing maternal health initiatives, the hospital hosted a community baby shower in September for 60 expectant mothers, including patients with its High-Risk Clinic, Maternal Home Program, and Prenatal Clinic. The event — cosponsored by MetroPlusHealth and Ronald McDonald House New York — prioritized support of patients identified by social workers as facing socioeconomic challenges, housing insecurity, or high-risk pregnancies. Each mother, many joined by their families, received essential products including diapers, baby wipes, high chairs, and play pens, as well as educational materials to help ensure a safe and healthy start for their babies.

In a show of solidarity and purpose, throughout the month of October the hospital’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign united staff to collect more than $20,000 in support of breast cancer education. In East Harlem — where cancer mortality rates are nearly double the Manhattan borough average — this awareness effort is especially critical. By expanding access to information and early detection resources, Metropolitan Hospital continues to address disparities in cancer outcomes and strengthen the health of its communities.

LOCAL BROOKLYN ARTIST EDDIE QUAN PHOTO EXHIBITION DEBUTS AT NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/SOUTH BROOKLYN HEALTH

NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health is hosting a photo exhibition of local Brooklyn artist, photographer, and printmaker Eddie Quan, featuring a select collection of 20 black and white photos from the artist’s 50-year career. The exhibition currently greets patients, visitors and staff in the 2nd floor visitor walkway and stretches the entire length of the space running along the front window façade of the building, bathing the collection in natural light. The collection of landscapes and cityscapes spans the artist’s work from the early 1960’s through the 2010’s. The exhibition will be on display through January 2026, at which time the photos will be installed in their permanent location in two medical inpatient units on the 7th floor of the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hospital to bring health and healing to those patients and their families.

RESPONDING TO THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS – SERVICES FOR ASYLUM SEEKER

After over three years of round the clock operations providing housing and services to asylum seekers, NYC Health + Hospitals’ first and last remaining humanitarian center at the Row Hotel will close its doors at the end of December. The Row Hotel has played a critical role in our response to the asylum seeker emergency, providing housing and dedicated care to over 7,500 families with children pursuing a better life in our country.

Since the Row Hotel humanitarian center opened in October 2022, it has provided a temporary home to more than 24,000 people, nearly half of whom are children under the age of 18. Row Hotel guests represented over 80 countries and spoke 40 different languages, reflecting the tremendous cultural and linguistic diversity of our asylum seeker population and the efforts that our staff made to provide culturally-relevant, language-appropriate care. The Row Hotel was also home to more than half of the over 1,600 pregnant people who gave birth while staying with us, with staff ensuring guests were connected to and able to make appointments for pre-natal and post-partum care at our hospitals.

The close of the Row Hotel also officially marks the close of our participation in the City’s housing operations launched in response to the asylum seeker humanitarian emergency. Over the course of HERRC operations, our staff provided shelter and essential care to more than 140,000 individuals and provided comprehensive intake, medical, social, and reconnection services to over 155,000 people at the city’s Arrival Center.

Thanks to their heroic work, we have helped ensure no families have spent a night in New York City without shelter. Instead, the compassionate, 24/7 care we provided at the Row Hotel and our other humanitarian centers ensured thousands of people in need could find the promise of a brighter future.

NYC CARE UPDATE

NYC CARE PARTNERS WITH CONSULATE GENERAL OF GUATEMALA

NYC Health + Hospitals’ NYC Care program today announced a partnership with the Consulate General of Guatemala in New York to provide NYC Care tabling services and no-cost blood-pressure screenings through NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst’s Clinical and Community Affairs teams at the consulate. While clients were waiting for their consulate appointments, NYC Care outreach staff from United Sikhs spoke with clients in the waiting area, and got them to visit the Elmhurst screening table to get their blood pressure taken. Staff from NYC Care and Elmhurst informed community members about NYC Care and the importance of regular check-ups with ones’ primary care team, handing out brochures, flyers, and promotional items. The event resulted in over 3,000 people reached, and continues the work undertaken at other consulates to connect recent immigrants to health care.

ARTS IN MEDICINE UPDATE

MUSIC FOR THE SOUL HOLIDAY CONCERTS

This holiday season, Arts in Medicine will be providing a total of 14 concerts to NYC Health + Hospitals sites across the lobbies and unit to unit in all five boroughs this month. Sites include, but are not limited to: NYC Health + Hospitals/Sea View, Carter, McKinney, Jacobi, Harlem, Coler and Queens.

DECEMBER HHART OF MEDICINE WORKSHOPS

The Whitney Museum of American Art and Brooklyn Museum continue to facilitate workshops each month including for the following facilities and teams:

• NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi Social Workers
• NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health H3 Wellness
• NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Sydenham Nursing
• NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull Pediatric and Internal Medicine Residents

METROPLUSHEALTH UPDATE

METROPLUSHEALTH ACHIEVES MAJOR MILESTONE WITH PROJECT EDGE WAVE 1 LAUNCH

MetroPlusHealth announced the successful launch of Project Edge Wave 1 on December 15, 2025, marking a major step forward in our enterprise-wide transformation. Project Edge is a bold modernization initiative designed to replace aging, fragmented systems with scalable, integrated technologies that support growth and elevate the service experience. This milestone introduces two new and modern platforms — HealthRules Payer (HRP) and GuidingCare (GC)— that will strengthen MetroPlusHealth’s operational foundation, increase agility, and fuel innovation across the organization.

HealthRules Payer (HRP) replaces the Plan’s core claims processing system, while GuidingCare (GC) replaces DCMS, CareConnect, and the Appeals Database for medical management. These new platforms streamline claims and medical management processes, improve compliance, reduce manual workarounds, and expand automation—ultimately enabling faster, more accurate service and a better experience for our members and providers.

Wave 1 focused on deploying the two systems for the HIV-SNP program, supporting more than 4,900 members and their providers. Achieving this milestone required organization-wide effort including: 200,000+ hours of implementation work, 1,920 business requirements, 8,000+ test cases, and training 340 employees.

In 2026, we will concentrate on platform stabilization and moving additional lines of business onto the new platforms.

This effort reinforces MetroPlusHealth’s commitment to building a future-ready ecosystem that advances health equity and delivers accessible, affordable, high-quality care for all New Yorkers. This milestone is a testament to the dedication of our teams and our shared vision for a stronger, even better performing health plan.

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS UPDATE

City

On January 1, 2026, Zohran Mamdani will be sworn in as Mayor of New York City. NYC Health + Hospitals is preparing for the transition and briefings. We are excited to work with Mayor-elect Mamdani and his Administration to continue driving forward Health + Hospitals projects, programs, and strategic goals.

State

The NYS Department of Health reaffirmed that the long-standing Hepatitis B vaccination recommendations for infants and children remain unchanged in New York State. Health + Hospitals continues to support and promote immunization schedules for infants and children.

On the legislative front, of the 854 bills that passed both houses of the NYS Legislature, 731 bills have been acted upon by the Governor and 92 bills have been vetoed thus far. Currently, 122 bills are in the Governor’s office for consideration. The Governor has until the end of the calendar year to consider the remaining 2 bills.

The NYS Legislature announced the start of the 2026 session will commence on January 7, 2026. The Governor will deliver her State of the State address on January 1, 2026, followed by the release of the executive budget on January 20, 2026.

Federal

Congress extended funding for the federal government through January 30. This includes an extension of telehealth waivers and a continued delay of the Medicaid DSH cuts. Congress extended SNAP funding through the end of the 2026 Fiscal Year.

What remains unsolved is the extension of certain Premium Tax Credits, which are slated to expire December 31. Republicans and Democrats in Congress have yet to agree on a plan, and negotiations continue.

NYC Health + Hospitals advocacy continues to our Congressional delegation about delaying the elimination of the MCO tax and changes to eligibility for the Essential Plan and Premium Tax Credits until 2029.

Community Affairs

The Council of CABs had a holiday party during their Council of CABs meeting on December 2. The CAB Chairs were also gifted with Council of CABs jackets from the Office of External and Regulatory Affairs team.

The Central Council of Auxiliaries hosted its final meeting of the year on December 3. Auxiliary Chairs shared their fundraising updates and discussed end-of-year housekeeping, including tax filings and federal determination letters.

As NYC Health + Hospitals reflects on another successful year, it is important to recognize that it could not be accomplished without our dedicated volunteer base.

In partnership with the NYC Office of Citywide Health Insurance Access, the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the NYC Human Resources Administration, the Office of External Affairs hosted an Understanding H.R. 1–The One Big Beautiful Bill Webinar on December 10. The webinar was attended by over 100 participants and covered topics including immigrants and children, Medicaid and SNAP work requirements, and Essential Plan and Qualified Health Plan premium assistance.

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

Below includes the Quarterly Central Office Real Estate Report from August 1 to October 31, 2025.

Effective September 1, 2025, NYC Health + Hospitals executed a multi-site license with Eye and Optics, NY Inc. to provide retail optical services at 8 facilities for a term of 5 years, escalated 2.5% annually, and a total contract value for all five years of $986,297. Each facility has a distinct fair market value rate based on neighborhood comparables. Below are the sizes, per square foot and total annual rates for the affected facilities:

NYC Health + Hospitals added three additional spaces to the existing license for Tasty Picks 6 Corp at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings, to include 3 new spaces, commencing on August 1 2025.

Effective August 15, 2025, NYC Health + Hospitals executed a new license with Healthy Choice Café Inc. at NYC Health + Hospitals/Carter. to provide food services for a term of 5 years, escalated 3% annually, and a total contract value for all five years of $127,419.

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