2024 Power Players in Health Care

Daniel Pichinson, MBA serves as president and CEO of Ryan Health, a nonprofit community health center with locations stretching from Washington Heights to the Lower East Side. Dan possesses three decades of experience in health care focused on increasing access to care for vulnerable New Yorkers. He has held this role since January 2024. Previously, Dan successfully led Ryan Chelsea-Clinton (RCC), an affiliated center of Ryan Health, as executive director for six years.

Do you have advice for those interested in joining the health care field?
Absolutely! Start by exploring different roles within health care to find your passion, whether it’s patient care, research, or administration. Gain relevant experience through volunteering or internships to build skills and connections, and stay informed about industry trends. Develop strong communication and empathy skills, as they are crucial in this field. Finally, be prepared for lifelong learning, as health care is constantly evolving. Your dedication can make a real difference in people’s lives!

How can policymakers support New York’s health care system?
Policymakers in New York need to adequately fund primary care. Exceptional primary gets and keeps individuals and communities healthy, yet it is woefully underfunded in NY. Medicaid rates for Community Health Centers have not been rebased in 25 years. Ryan Health supports the Primary Care Coalition’s proposal that no less than 12% of total health care spending in the state be dedicated to primary care. 

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 community engagement. Building strong relationships with patients, staff, and local organizations fosters trust and collaboration, which are essential for delivering effective care. Listening to the needs and feedback of the community allows us to tailor our services and address health disparities. Ultimately, a successful health center is one that prioritizes the voices of those it serves, ensuring that care is accessible, relevant, and impactful.

Dr. Quatroche has worked at ECMC for over 20 years and served as president and CEO for eight years. He leads a 573-bed Level 1 trauma and behavioral health center and 390-bed nursing home with $900 million in revenues and 3,800 employees. Tom is a board member and past chair of the Healthcare Association of Western and Central New York, Inc. and a director of America’s Essential Hospitals.

Do you have advice for those interested in joining the health care field?
There is nothing more rewarding than a career in health care but you have to be willing to be available 24/7 and be able to accept constant change.

How can policymakers support New York’s health care system?
Talk directly to stakeholders and get feedback on how policies affect patients and care “on the ground”.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
Culture does not ear strategy. Culture IS strategy.

Kenneth E. Raske is president of Greater New York Hospital Association, which represents more than 160 not-for-profit hospitals and health systems, both voluntary and public, in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. An expert on health care policy and finance, Mr. Raske plays a key role in shaping the health care delivery system and has helped guide GNYHA’s hospital and continuing care members through dramatic changes in the health care marketplace.

Do you have advice for those interested in joining the health care field?
Health care workers are among the most dedicated and compassionate individuals I have ever met, and they are certainly the lifeblood of our hospitals. Those interested in pursuing a career in health care should seek out internships or volunteer opportunities at their local hospital to get a firsthand look at the incredible work done every single day to provide care for every patient that walks through the door. 

How can policymakers support New York’s health care system?
The most important thing policymakers can do for the long-term viability of New York’s health care delivery system is to support GNYHA’s multiyear campaign with 1199SEIU to achieve health care justice and reduce health disparities by increasing the Medicaid reimbursement rate to hospitals to 100% of the cost of care.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
There is nothing more important than listening. For me, that’s meant truly listening to the needs and concerns of our member hospitals, and then using that information to be a problem solver for them. 

Loren Riegelhaupt, president of New York public affairs and a principal at SKDK, has over 25 years of experience in corporate public affairs and crisis management. He co-leads the firm’s health care vertical and serves as lead strategist for clients facing complex issues, including health care mergers, advocacy movements, and crises like pandemic responses and regulatory investigations. Loren resides in Rye, New York with his wife and three children.

Do you have advice for those interested in joining the health care field? 
Volunteer, ask questions, get involved but, most importantly, find a mentor. I was lucky enough to have Jennifer Cunningham, one of the most politically brilliant and personally kind people, as a mentor and friend. Health care, no matter what part, is so complex and evolving so quickly it’s essential to have mentors to help show the way and sharpen your thinking. And if you are already in health care, I strongly encourage you to find a mentee. 

How can policymakers support New York’s health care system?
I believe we are fast approaching a reckoning in health care because the old models simply no longer work. There are a lot of changes we could make to drastically improve the health care system overall, but the number one change would be to fully fund Medicaid reimbursements for hospitals. If we are going to fix anything we must fully pay for the cost of care. It has to start there. That and pass the Equal Rights Amendment/Prop 1. 

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far? 
To lead with empathy but hold everyone accountable. I’ve been very lucky to work with some of the most talented and kind people who use their skills and talents to lift people up while simultaneously expecting great work. Leading by understanding and solving challenges together but also demanding excellence is at the heart of true success. To me, that is fundamental to any individual or organizational success. 

Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico and living in the Bronx for almost 25 years, Gustavo Rivera proudly represents the 33rd District in the Northwest Bronx. Throughout his legislative career, he has passed more than 71 bills into law, protecting civil rights and addressing health inequities in our communities. As chair of the Health Committee, he focuses on policies to expand health care access and strengthen patient protections against the financial burdens of medical care.

Do you have advice for those interested in joining the health care field?
The health care field and the policies governing institutions are vast and complex. My advice is to stay informed on emerging public health issues, embrace a mindset of lifelong learning, and cultivate resilience – it’s a challenging field, but immensely rewarding. Seek mentors, remain adaptable as health care evolves, and remember that every role in this field, from direct patient care to policy, is vital in building a healthier society. Be resilient in your ideas and work towards the common good, seeking solutions that prioritize this objective and always think of health as an inherent right rather than a commodity.

How can policymakers support New York’s health care system?
Our current health care system is broken. Many people delay seeking medical care due to its cost. Even New Yorkers with health insurance find health care unaffordable because of out-of- pocket costs such as co-pays and deductibles. One of the most important policies currently being debated is my bill, the New York Health Act, which I’m working on with my colleagues in the Senate to pass into law. This legislation would guarantee health care for every New Yorker, regardless of age, wealth, employment, or immigration status. The bill creates a single-payer, universal health care system based on New Yorkers’ ability to pay and ensures quality care that will save the state money by removing private health insurance from the equation.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
It’s important to stand up for the well-being of others, especially more vulnerable members of our communities. Always focus on the work, not the spotlight. Remember, the spotlight is fleeting, but the work is what endures.

Todd Rogow brings a wealth of experience and innovation to his field of HIT. He joined Healthix in 2015 as the senior VP/CIO, providing vision, strategy and leadership. During his Healthix tenure, Todd has driven rapid growth and innovative change, fulfilling the critical role of building Healthix’s IT function through next-generation application software and completing the technical systems merger of several HIE organizations. Todd lectures at conferences worldwide and has authored several publications.

Do you have advice for those interested in joining the health care field?
There are many opportunities in health care today. Caring for patients is a vocation and a career choice. As the health care delivery system continues to evolve, the one constant is the need for accessible, high-quality data. Data drives many decisions, from evidence-based medicine to population health, from research to the advancement of new and innovative treatments. Understand and respect the power of data and use it to drive better care and better outcomes.

How can policymakers support New York’s health care system?
In the HIT space, New York should align with national objectives for sharing data.  Currently, the restrictive New York consent model to access patient data prevents the exchange of data from across other states.  Mitigating policy barriers that prevent the flow of data while protecting patient privacy is paramount to good care. Additionally, with the political changes concerning reproductive rights, New York must safeguard this data to protect privacy and the right to care. 

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
It is important to be a good listener and to put yourself in your customers’ shoes. At Healthix, we seek to provide the best customer service possible. It is also important not to over-promise what you know you cannot reasonably deliver – manage expectation and learn to compromise, which is especially important when faced with limited resources and shifting priorities. Finally, it is essential to remain flexible, to be able to pivot and to be transparent.

As president and CEO of Parker Jewish Institute, Michael N. Rosenblut oversees executive leadership and strategic direction of this post-acute care organization. He is president and CEO of Queens-Long Island Renal Institute, a state-of-the-art dialysis center, at Parker.  He is a driving force in expanding access to health care for older adults. Mr. Rosenblut was instrumental in bringing Prine Vascular Access Center to Parker, now the only skilled-nursing facility with a vascular center for surgery onsite.

Do you have advice for those interested in joining the health care field?
Embrace education. As health care professionals, we never stop learning. Every opportunity for training offers the potential for professional growth and to meet and work with like-minded people who want to help others achieve the best possible health. At Parker, we have a robust mentorship program, as well as The Nerken Center for Research and Grants to study emerging issues of aging. Parker offers the chance to learn something new every day. 

How can policymakers support New York’s health care system?
Policymakers can support New York’s health care system by meeting regularly with health care leaders who are “in the trenches,” so to speak. As leaders, we understand the needs of those who are in our care, as well as those of our team members and our facilities. It is through honest dialogue with health care leaders and other community stakeholders that lawmakers can bring about meaningful policy that makes a difference to our region.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
As a second-generation health care leader in my family, I learned the lessons of my father, and those lessons have remained relevant throughout my entire career. My father inspired me to learn more each day. Learning from our residents and team members allows me to pivot as necessary when making decisions. I have also learned to lean into my own skill set and intuition, especially when initiating decisions.

David Sandman, Ph.D., is president and CEO of the New York Health Foundation (NYHealth), a private foundation dedicated to improving the health of all New Yorkers, especially people of color and others who have been historically marginalized. NYHealth has invested nearly $200 million to improve health care and the public health system in New York State. NYHealth is also committed to sharing grantmaking lessons; informing policy and practice; and convening health leaders and stakeholders.

Do you have advice for those interested in joining the health care field?
Set goals that are hugely ambitious and also achievable. You have to set your sights on something worth fighting for, that feels meaningful and consequential. At the same time, be realistic about how much can get done, and how quickly. Progress often happens slowly and incrementally; it requires patience and tenacity. Dream big and do the work.

How can policymakers support New York’s health care system?
Invest in primary care. It’s a rare win-win for health care: it’s associated with both better health and lower costs. Yet New York only spends about a nickel of every health care dollar on primary care. We can do better. The solution isn’t to spend more money overall; it’s to allocate a greater percentage of our existing spending to primary care. Spending in smarter and better ways will return more value for our dollars.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
Put yourself in someone else’s shoes before reaching a conclusion or making an important decision. You need to get outside of yourself and look at an issue from all angles; yours isn’t the only perspective or experience that matters. Seeking out others’ opinions and understanding other points of view makes you a more effective leader, manager, communicator, and colleague – and it makes your work better. 

As CEO and president of VNS Health, Dan Savitt oversees one of the nation’s largest nonprofit home-and community-based health care organizations, and is dedicated to VNS Health’s mission to improve the health and well-being of people through high-quality, cost-effective care. Under Savitt’s leadership, VNS Health has experienced organizational growth, geographic expansion, and improved quality ratings. As the need for home care grows, VNS Health is a trailblazer, combining traditional compassionate care with targeted innovation.

Do you have advice for those interested in joining the health care field?
Health care careers can be challenging. Careers in home care require a passion to serve and a dedication to delivering complex care in difficult situations. Home care can also be extremely rewarding; I often hear our team members say there’s nothing they’d rather do. To help people navigate today’s complicated health care system, it’s important to stay agile, to enjoy problem-solving, and balance new tools and learning with compassionate care delivery.

How can policymakers support New York’s health care system?
New York has long struggled with fragmented and costly care for older adults and New Yorkers with disabilities who are “dually eligible” for Medicaid and Medicare. These individuals have the greatest long-term health care needs that make up the largest share of Medicaid spending. We need to innovate and effectively integrate Medicaid and Medicare services, in order to help vulnerable New Yorkers stay in their homes while addressing long-term care Medicaid spending.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
I’ve learned that challenges are opportunities. To realize those opportunities, we must understand why a challenge exists, determine its “root causes” and work together on solutions. In particular, the challenge of ensuring access to care for the underserved shouldn’t be seen as a burden – it’s a pathway to improved health outcomes overall.  If health care providers can work with the government to keep expanding that pathway, the result will be better, more equitable care for all.

Lynn Schulman was elected to a historic female majority-led City Council in 2021. With decades of leadership in health care advocacy, she chairs the City Council Health Committee, where she spearheaded legislation to create the first citywide diabetes prevention program, passed a bill to create a unique public health agenda to increase the life expectancy of all New Yorkers, and was the driving force for a new family building benefits program for city workers.

Do you have advice for those interested in joining the health care field?
As a health care advocate and breast cancer survivor, my advice to those interested in joining the health care field is to pay attention to the science, but most importantly, listen to the patient, and above all, prioritize patients over profits. We also must make our health care system more transparent and accountable. There is more work to be done to make our neighborhoods healthier, and following these basics will help get us there.

How can policymakers support New York’s health care system?
Health care is a human right and policymakers must support accessible and affordable health care for all New Yorkers, regardless of zip code. It is also vital to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate health care to our city’s many diverse communities, to ensure buy-in from the constituencies we serve. It is crucial that policymakers get input from all stakeholders and govern from the bottom up, instead of from the top down which is what usually happens.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
The most important lesson I have learned as a City Council member is the importance of shifting from advocacy to governing as an elected official. In addition to helping our constituents, it is important to keep in mind that we are also making policy and budget decisions for the entire city, which is a big responsibility. It is also important to keep in regular communication with key constituencies to inform and educate them.