Mitchell H. Katz, MD
NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
November 21, 2024
OBSERVANCES
NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS CELEBRATED INTERNATIONAL KINDNDESS DAY
On Wednesday, November 13, NYC Health + Hospitals recognized International Kindness Day. Each facility found ways to embody the health System’s I-CARE values and make the observance its own. From NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, to NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County, to NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens, to NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, the day was filled with acts of kindness, gratitude, and community service.
To show appreciation to their colleagues, staff members wrote personalized notes expressing gratitude and encouragement. At some facilities staff members were recognized with Kindness Awards for their exceptional service, while at others “Walls of Kindness” decorated corridors serving as a positive reminder about why kindness matters. Across the System wellness rooms were set up offering crafts, coffee, and Kind bars to help staff members relax and de-stress.
The commitment to kindness also extended to the community, as some facilities packed food items into care packages for local families. At another facility, staff organized a campus clean-up to create a welcoming and healthy environment for all.
OFFICE OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION AND NYC DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS’ SERVICES PARTNER FOR VETERANS’ DAY
In an effort to bring comprehensive support directly to patients who are veterans, NYC Health + Hospitals/Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and the NYC Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) partnered to introduce pop-up assistance centers across the System’s hospital facilities. This collaboration supports veterans and their loved ones with navigating benefits, claims, and personalized career guidance. The pop-ups will continue through mid-December.
IN RECOGNITION OF LUNG CANCER AWARENESS MONTH, NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS CELEBRATES MORE THAN 10,000 LUNG CANCER SCREENINGS IN TWO YEARS
NYC Health + Hospitals performed over 10,000 scans for lung cancer since the beginning of its Lung Cancer Screening program in September 2022. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women, and more people die each year from lung cancer than breast, prostate and colon cancers combined. Patients are screened for lung cancer with a low-dose computerized tomography (CT) scan, a diagnostic imaging tool that uses x-rays to create an image of the inside body. It has been proven to dramatically increase survival. NYC Health + Hospitals offers lung cancer screening for people who are between the ages of 50 and 80, have a history of heavy smoking, are currently using tobacco or stopped within the past 15 years, and have no signs or symptoms of underlying lung cancer. The lung cancer screening program is now available at 10 NYC Health + Hospitals sites. Patients who meet the criteria and wish to be screened should speak with their primary care provider for a referral.
Patients who screen for lung cancer are paired with a clinical navigator who ensures they receive care specific to their needs, including follow-up appointments and connections to tobacco cessation resources. Patients can access the latest technologies in robotic and navigational bronchoscopy to help biopsy and diagnose lung cancer as well as minimally invasive surgical lung resection for early stage lung cancer. Lung cancer screenings are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most commercial insurance plans without any out-of-pocket cost.
NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS EMPLOYEE AND FACILITY RECOGNITIONS
NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS LEADERS RECOGNIZED BY CRAIN’S NEW YORK BUSINESS AS AMONG ‘2024 NOTABLE LEADERS IN HEALTH CARE’
NYC Health + Hospitals/Community Care Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Nicole Jordan-Martin, NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health Chief Executive Officer Svetlana Lipyanskaya, and MetroPlusHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Talya Schwartz were named to the Crain’s New York Business ‘2024 Notable Leaders in Health Care’ recognition list. Jordan-Martin, Lipyanskaya, and Dr. Schwartz are recognized for their excellence in the health care sector and for their commitment to supporting underserved communities across New York City. The list also includes former NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health Public Affairs Director Bridgette Ingraham-Roberts. 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.
AMANDA K. JOHNSON, MD, MBA, SENIOR ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT OF CARE MODELS, NAMED TO CRAIN’S NEW YORK BUSINESS’ ’40 UNDER 40′
Amanda K. Johnson, MD, MBA, was recognized by Crain’s New York Business on its annual ‘40 Under 40’ recognition list. Dr. Johnson is NYC Health + Hospitals’ Senior Assistant Vice President of Care Models in the Office of Ambulatory Care and Population Health. From leading “Take Care” services as part of the Health System’s Test & Trace program during the COVID-19 pandemic to heading up the AfterCare program and Street Health Outreach & Wellness (SHOW) program, Dr. Johnson worked to uplift the City’s most vulnerable residents.
Dr Johnson provides primary care and substance use treatment at NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Sydenham, and this year, her staff launched an emergency department navigation program at NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull and a homelessness consultation service at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue.
Crain’s 2024 class of ‘40 Under 40’ honorees includes some of the most ambitious, driven, professionals in New York City making an impact. 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.
U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT RANKS NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS’ POST-ACUTE CARE FACILITIES AS “HIGH-PERFORMING” IN LONG-TERM CARE AND SHORT-TERM REHABILITATION
Four of NYC Health + Hospitals nursing homes received a “high-performing” rating in at least one category by U.S. News & World Report in its 2025 Best Nursing Homes list. NYC Health + Hospitals/Carter for Long-Term Care and Short-Term Rehabilitation; NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur for Long-Term Care and Short-Term Rehabilitation; NYC Health + Hospitals/Sea View for Long-Term Care and Short-Term Rehabilitation; NYC Health + Hospitals/McKinney for Long-Term Care.
Nearly 15,000 nursing homes nationwide were evaluated for the 2025 awards, with 643 — or only 4% — nursing homes earning “high-performing” ratings in both categories.
NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/METROPOLITAN RECEIVES “A” GRADE FROM INDEPENDENT, NATIONAL HOSPITAL SAFETY ORGANIZATION
NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan earned an “A” grade from Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades for fall 2024. This national distinction recognized the hospital’s achievements in protecting patients from preventable harm and error in the hospital. Metropolitan Hospital was one of only 32 hospitals in the State to get an A grade this fall. The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization committed to quality, safety, and transparency in the U.S. health system.
The Leapfrog Group assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries, and infections as well as systems that hospitals have in place to prevent harm. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harm to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.
NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS FINANCES
FOR THE ELEVENTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR, NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS’ ACCOUNTABLE CARE ORGANIZATION EARNS SIGNIFICANT MEDICARE SHARED SAVINGS
NYC Health + Hospitals’ Medicare Shared Savings Program Accountable Care Organization (ACO) will earn $6.1 million from the Federal government for reducing avoidable costs and meeting high standards of quality care for patients. NYC Health + Hospitals is the only health System in New York State to achieve savings for eleven years in a row. The ACO saved Medicare $8.3 million for 2023, all while achieving impressive scores across a number of quality-of-care measures. The program achieves savings by supporting primary care providers and care coordination, which prevents unnecessary emergency department visits, avoidable hospitalizations, and other high-cost care for the more than 6,000 Medicare fee-for-service patients who are served through the program.
FACILITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/QUEENS LAUNCHES NEW WEIGHT MANAGEMENT AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLES PROGRAM
Earlier this month, NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens launched its new Weight Management and Healthy Lifestyles Program, which will address critical health issues such as diabetes and obesity. The program includes counseling with a nutritionist, psychologist, and a physician trained in weight management to support the patient holistically. The program aims to support the patient in losing 5-10% of their baseline weight, which has been shown to improve one’s blood pressure, lower glucose levels, lower total cholesterol and triglycerides and reduce the likelihood of developing metabolic syndrome. Patients with a BMI of 27 or more with one weight related co-morbidity such as hypertension, Type 2 Diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, osteoarthritis or a BMI of 30 or more with no comorbidities can be referred to the program. Queens Hospital is the first NYC Health + Hospitals site in Queens to offer this type of Weight Management and Healthy Lifestyles Program.
THE GARDEN OF DREAMS FOUNDATION AND RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE NEW YORK UNVEIL BRAND-NEW FAMILY ROOMS AT NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/METROPOLITAN
The Garden of Dreams Foundation (GDF), the non-profit organization that works with the MSG Family of Companies to bring life-changing opportunities to young people in need, and Ronald McDonald House New York (RMH-NY) unveiled two brand-new Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan’s Pediatric Clinic.
The newly-constructed Family Rooms provide a relaxing space for the 135 pediatric patients, ranging in age from babies through age 21, where families are seen at this outpatient clinic every day. The Ronald McDonald Family Rooms will have RMH-NY programming staff and volunteers on hand to facilitate fun activities, distribute snacks, and ensure that families have a positive experience during their time at the hospital.
The two-Family Rooms are themed, with one focusing on the Knicks and Rangers, and the other focusing on Madison Square Garden’s entertainment properties including The Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre and the Radio City Rockettes. The spaces feature custom murals that showcase inspiring individuals, including Knicks alumni John Starks and Allan Houston; Rangers alumni Rod Gilbert, Adam Graves and Henrik Lundqvist; the Rockettes; and Garden of Dreams Talent Show performers. Additionally, the Garden of Dreams Foundation supplied approximately 100 books for the pediatric patients to use in reading nooks within each space.
NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/BELLEVUE SCHOOL OF RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY CELEBRATES 50TH GRADUATING CLASS
NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue School of Radiologic Technology today celebrated its 50th graduating class of the program. Founded in 1972 offering a 24-month certificate program in Radiologic Technology, the school graduated its pioneer class of 33 students in 1974. Since then, more than 700 students have completed the program. Currently, there are 20 first-year students and 12 second-year students.
All academic, laboratory, and clinical instruction is held at Bellevue Hospital. Graduates are eligible to apply for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Certification and NYS Licensure. The Bellevue School of Radiologic Technology’s mission is to prepare, educate and train a diverse population of students for entry into the profession of radiologic imaging. Graduates of the school are able to support all other health care professionals, serve a diverse community of patients, equitably provide patient care, radiation protection, and imaging expertise with the highest quality in an atmosphere of diversity, with dignity and respect to the patient.
The school recently instituted a tuition reimbursement program for graduates who agree to stay at Bellevue for three years. At present, four graduates have benefited from the program and are working at the hospital.
HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE/HERRCS
RESPONDING TO THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS – SERVICES FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS
NYC Health + Hospitals continues to be a cornerstone of New York City’s efforts to manage the unprecedented influx of asylum seekers. We currently operate 13 Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Centers (HERRCs) across the City, providing housing, support and dedicated services to approximately 23,000 guests, the majority of whom are families with children. We also continue to provide all new arrivals a warm welcome at the City’s Arrival Center, which serves as the initial point of contact for all asylum seekers and provides immediate healthcare services, including screenings for communicable diseases, urgent care, behavioral health evaluations, and vaccinations.
Our case management teams, which began meeting with humanitarian center guests in October 2023, have now held over 700,000 exit planning meetings, providing meetings to 99% of guests currently living in our facilities. This proactive, community-guided case management effort has helped asylum seekers identify needs and set goals to leave the City shelter system, connected them to the appropriate legal, medical, and social services. With the help of our case managers, over 70% of eligible adults have now completed or been approved for work authorization.
The HERRC program’s partnership with our Case Management Community Advisory Board (CAB) continues to inform and enhance our understanding of asylum seekers’ needs, helping to connect asylum seekers to impactful support, including legal services, as they take their next steps forward. Last month, NYC Health + Hospitals, in partnership with the CAB and other community partners, began hosting resource fairs at its humanitarian centers, providing humanitarian center guests on-site connections to community organizations offering employment, housing, legal, and social assistance.
Through these efforts, NYC Health + Hospitals is not only offering immediate relief to those in-need but also providing asylum seekers concrete pathways toward stability and independence.
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS UPDATE
Federal: On November 5, 2024, Donald Trump was elected as the 47th President of the United States. NYC Health + Hospitals is working internally and with our partners in government to prepare for the change in administration.
Congress voted to pass a continuing resolution funding the government through Dec. 20, avoiding a government shutdown. Prior to the end of 2024, Congress has to address a few expiring provisions, including to continue the delay of the Medicaid DSH cuts. NYC Health + Hospitals continues to advocate for the DSH cut delays, and we thank our legislative champions and partners for their ongoing support.
State: NYC Health + Hospitals will have nine new State representation to our facilities come January, and we will work on introducing ourselves to these new incoming elected officials.
Of the 805 bills that passed both houses of the New York State (NYS) Legislature, just more than half have been acted upon by the Governor. A large package of over 140 bills are currently in the Governor’s office, including bills the health system supported. There are 205 bills remaining that will need to be considered before the end of the year.
City: The City’s Preliminary Budget is slated to be released on January 16, 2025. Our Finance team and leadership are working with the Office of Management and Budget as we plan for next year’s budget.
On November 1st, the New York City Council held a hearing regarding “Ambulance Response Times” during which the health System’s Office of Quality and Safety participated in Q&A.
Community Affairs: The Quality and Safety Care Experience team joined the Council of CABs on November 12th to present a draft Code of Kindness to the Council of CABs for their input and suggestions. The Community Health Needs Assessment team has been visiting the CABs at their facilities to host focus groups on the health needs of their communities. They will also be hosting 5 borough-wide virtual forums for community input about the health needs of their communities and one virtual focus group with only the Gotham CABs.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE SYSTEM
- Brooklyn Reporter: Hospital Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
- El Diario NY: Dr. Jimenez on the “recipes” available in NYC for older adults to live longer and better
- Becker’s Hospital Review: NYC Health + Hospitals trains for potential bird flu outbreak
- BK Reader: Breaking The Silence on Breast Cancer
- Harlem World: NYC Health + Hospitals’ ACO Achieves Medicare Shared Savings For Eleventh Year
- The City: After Trump Victory, New York Officials, Experts Brace for Assault on Public Health
- Bronx Times: Op-ed: How acts of kindness can improve patients’ health and mental well being
- Becker’s Hospital Review: NYC Health + Hospitals added 3,000 RNs, saved $150M in a year
- Mott Haven Herald: Lincoln Hospital outreach van brings public health to the unhoused