2024 Power Players in Health Care

Leonard Achan, a veteran health care executive with over 20 years of executive leadership experience across academic medical centers and nonprofits in NYC, is president and CEO of LiveOnNY, the NYC Metro region’s Organ Procurement Organization. His c-suite roles have spanned clinical, operational, marketing and communications, crisis management, digital, innovation, and commercialization. Achan serves on nonprofit boards including Adelphi University and RiseWell Community Services and is the co-founder and chairman of Quality Reviews Inc.

Do you have advice for those interested in joining the health care field?
As you start your health care journey, remember there’s doing the right thing and doing the easy thing. Don’t compromise your mission for convenience. Embrace challenges, stay curious, never underestimate the power of impossible thinking, and avoid conforming to complacency. Above all, keep the patient at the center. By doing this, your work will not only heal but also inspire hope and change lives for the better.

How can policymakers support New York’s health care system?
Policymakers can strengthen New York’s health care system by championing policies that invest in trusted organizations with proven success in community care. There are organizations within our state that get the least for doing the most and those are often the institutions that have earned the public’s trust. We need to invest in regaining trust from our communities and we can do that by rewarding entities who have excelled at caring for those in need.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
During the first decade of my career, I lacked mentorship, sponsorship, and guidance, thinking my struggle made me stronger and led me to hire others with similar experiences. I realize now, as a first-generation American and college graduate, those hardships shouldn’t be a requirement. Early mentorship and sponsorship, not adversity, truly strengthen our industry by paving a supportive path for future leaders and ensuring they don’t face the same struggles.

Willow Baer is currently serving as acting commissioner at the NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). Prior to stepping up as acting commissioner, Willow served as OPWDD’s executive deputy commissioner and oversaw the agency’s operational management, including planning, fiscal planning and oversight, and policy development. She was also responsible for oversight of agency staff in a broad range of capacities, including direct care support, clinical and medical staff in residential and non-residential settings, maintenance and operations.

Oxiris Barbot, M.D., is president and CEO of United Hospital Fund. Her career has been defined by service, scholarship, and a commitment to health equity. From 2018 until 2020, she served as New York City’s health commissioner, leading the city’s successful response to the first wave of COVID-19. Previously she was first deputy commissioner at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), commissioner of Baltimore’s Health Department, and medical director of DOHMH.

Dr. Benjamin was born into a family of hard workers dedicated to the community. He inherited this spirit of giving back and was eager to pursue a career in medicine to fulfill his lifelong dream. His aspiration included making a positive difference by serving the community of Rochdale Village in Jamaica, Queens, New York, where he grew up. Dr. Benjamin values the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to important decisions that affect health care delivery.

Do you have advice for those interested in joining the health care field?
Health care demands deep compassion, commitment to social justice, and a desire to serve others above all else. If you’re motivated primarily by money, this field may not be the right fit. The rewards are found in making a meaningful impact on people’s lives and advocating for equitable care for all.

How can policymakers support New York’s health care system?
Policymakers can support New York’s health care system by prioritizing equitable care and gaining first-hand insight into community needs. Spending time at local community health centers and engaging directly with patients can reveal critical gaps and guide effective, patient-centered policies.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is the value of loving what you do – when you’re truly passionate, work feels fulfilling rather than burdensome.

Elisabeth Ryden Benjamin is VP of health initiatives at the Community Service Society, where she supervises health policy, advocacy, and consumer assistance programs that serve over 130,000 New Yorkers annually. She co-founded the #EndMedicalDebt campaign, which has secured many new medical debt protection laws, and the Health Care for All New York Campaign, which seeks affordable, quality health care for all. She publishes and comments extensively on: health equity, insurance coverage expansions, and medical debt. 

Do you have advice for those interested in joining the health care field?
My advice to people interested in joining the health care field is to center the patient experience in your work. Our market-driven system often ignores patient needs, leaving us to navigate a complicated and unaffordable system that maintains structural inequities.

How can policymakers support New York’s health care system?
Policymakers should address why New Yorkers face the second highest health care costs in the country, with an exponential rise in prices over the past decade that far outpaces inflation.  In the absence of making sound health policy decisions governing costs, they should enact a health care affordability and accountability board that adopts price benchmarks and targets our spending on marginalized communities to promote affordability, quality and equity.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
Never give up fighting to improve our health care system so it better serves all New Yorkers.

Senator Samra G. Brouk represents New York’s 55th District. She serves as chair of the Senate Mental Health Committee and is a champion for children, families, and our aging adults. She passionately advocates for improvements in youth mental health, maternal health, and mental health crisis response. Her health care wins include signing the 988/Student Lifeline Act into law, passing Daniel’s Law through the Senate Mental Health Committee, and raising COLAs for the mental health workforce.

How can policymakers support New York’s health care system?
Policymakers must listen to our most vulnerable community members when they articulate their health care needs – and use that feedback to push for lasting, statewide change. One of the reasons the maternal mortality crisis persists is because we neglect the input of black women, who are five times more likely to die during childbirth in New York State. Let’s center them in the health care conversation and introduce lifesaving interventions.

As president and CEO of Ronald McDonald House NY, Dr. Ruth C. Browne advances health equity, supporting families facing pediatric cancer and serious illnesses. A nationally recognized leader in health and education, she brings extensive experience in building high-performing teams, shaping organizational vision, creating impactful programs, and fostering diverse, equitable cultures. Her leadership has led to significant Board engagement, 400+ strategic and volunteer partnerships, 350+ donors, and an 8,000+ volunteer force to support RMH-NY’s mission.

Do you have advice for those interested in joining the health care field?
It’s essential to be intentional about gaining various experiences, from administrative to programmatic roles. Those entering public health should go beyond equity as a concept and develop a deep understanding of solutions that lead to impactful, equitable outcomes. Additionally, newcomers benefit from seeing the full landscape of challenges and the significant opportunity for improvement. Today’s advanced tools and technologies allow us to be much more creative in developing innovative solutions to seemingly intractable problems.

How can policymakers support New York’s health care system?
Applying an equity lens is crucial, as this influences how New Yorkers access and utilize the health care system. The Medicaid 1115 waiver is a prime example. It incorporates the social drivers of health into the allocation of Medicaid resources, enabling organizations that are on the ground serving vulnerable populations to be very intentional about their approach – not only addressing illnesses, but the full range of issues that limit access and utilization in health care.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?

A major lesson I’ve learned is that the people you surround yourself with define what you’re able to accomplish. As a leader in public health, I thrive when I’m surrounded by people who are not just in the field, but are extensions of the field – whether it’s professionals from areas including justice, corporate, hospitality, technology or education. Having diverse experiences in the room enables us to gain new perspectives and drive meaningful change.

Al Cardillo is president and CEO of the Home Care Association of New York State, which is composed of organizations that provide home and community-based care statewide. He has worked over the course of four decades in the health field in health services development, administration, legislation, budget, policy, health association management, and education. He is currently also on the adjunct faculty of the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and the University at Albany.

Brendan Carr, M.D., M.A., M.S., CEO and distinguished chair of Mount Sinai Health System, is a nationally recognized leader in medicine and health policy. A visionary physician-scientist, he advances Mount Sinai’s mission of compassionate care, education, and research. Overseeing eight hospitals, the Icahn School of Medicine, and 400+ care locations, Dr. Carr brings over 20 years of expertise in health care and health policy, having advised organizations globally and served in public health roles. 

Do you have advice for those interested in joining the health care field? 
For those considering a career in health care, I encourage you to approach it with both a sense of purpose and curiosity. This field demands resilience and a commitment to continuous learning. Focus on developing strong communication skills, empathy, and a patient-centered approach – these are just as vital as technical knowledge. Remember, health care is a collaborative effort; always value your colleagues, as teamwork is essential to providing the best possible care for our communities.

How can policymakers support New York’s health care system? 
Investing in policies that meet patients and New Yorkers where they are is essential. The health care industry is still recovering from the disruptions caused by the pandemic, which highlighted the need to revolutionize the industry. Policymakers should support efforts that allow for health care delivery to evolve and modernize. We need to diversify our workforce and leverage technology in order to reduce costs and improve health outcomes. Executed correctly, these efforts will help to ensure that New York’s health care systems remain resilient and capable of delivering equitable care to our communities. 

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far? 
The most important lesson I’ve learned is to be humble. Whether listening to a patient describe their symptoms or navigating administrative complexities, acknowledging the expertise and perspective of patients and peers is essential. Health care is constantly evolving, and being able to adjust to new challenges while keeping patients at the center is essential. Listening – whether to patients, colleagues, or community voices – drives meaningful progress and helps us build systems that truly serve people.

Guillermo Chacón is president of the Latino Commission on AIDS and founder of the Hispanic Health Network. In October 2023, Chacón was invited by U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services Xavier Becerra to serve a second term on the U.S. Presidential Advisory Council on HIV, AIDS/PACHA. Mayor Adams appointed Chacón in November 2022 to serve as chair of the NYC Procurement Policy Board. Chacón also serves on the Board of the New York Immigration Coalition.

Do you have advice for those interested in joining the health care field?
Our health and our future are my personal guiding principles. We need more dedicated people in the public health sector. It is critical to invest talent and resources in a balanced approach between health prevention and access to health care. Anyone interested in joining the health care field should recognize the great need for dedicated people to address the health challenges we face in our state.

How can policymakers support New York’s health care system?
It is urgent for all policymakers in New York State to craft health policies to create a balanced approach between health prevention and access to health care free of stigma and discrimination. The second urgent need is to ensure access to health care for all New Yorkers. New York State must be the leader in having a healthy and vibrant population in our nation.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
The most important lesson is to be humble, willing to learn, a good listener, a communicator and willing to share lessons learned in my field with honesty and integrity.