2024 Power Players in Health Care

Dr. Talya Schwartz, president and CEO of MetroPlusHealth, has led the organization to 35% membership growth, a five-star rating from NY State’s Consumer Guide, and a 4-star rating from CMS. She integrated behavioral and physical health services, modernized technology, and expanded virtual visits for MetroPlusHealth’s 700,000+ members. Her leadership focuses on addressing social determinants of health. She is a pediatrician and mother of two daughters.

Chris Sclafani is president of Summit Health and CityMD, a leading provider of multispecialty, primary and urgent care. Chris has more than 20 years at CareMount Medical Group (now part of Optum) in executive positions including as COO. He’s highly regarded in the industry, serving on the board of the American Medical Group Association for nine years including as chair in 2019. Most recently, Chris was president and COO of Veritas Veterinary Partners.

Do you have advice for those interested in joining the health care field?
It is a great career choice as you will get the opportunity to influence and impact the most important service any of us purchase – health care. As a health care leader, you will be part of an organization that is a community asset and have the opportunity to help others. I’m proud to work in health care and serve our patients. 

How can policymakers support New York’s health care system?
It is important to recognize post-Covid all the dynamics facing health care organizations. There are physician recruiting challenges, supply cost increase due to the inflationary pressures, and support team member compensation, to name a few.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
I always say to be a good leader, you must be a good listener.

Dr. Sandra Scott, interim CEO of One Brooklyn Health System, oversees Brookdale, Interfaith, and Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Centers. Previously, she served as the first woman and African American executive director of Brookdale Hospital. A respected physician and educator, Dr. Scott graduated from Louisiana State University and Baylor College of Medicine, completing her residency at Boston Medical Center. Her leadership has expanded access, improved outcomes, and strengthened operational efficiency for East and Central Brooklyn communities.

Do you have advice for those interested in joining the health care field?
Health care is one of the most rewarding fields you can enter, however, it is essential to approach it with a commitment to continuous learning and compassion. My advice is to focus on empathy and adaptability. Health care is constantly evolving, and those who are willing to listen to their patients, embrace innovation and change, and collaborate will make a significant impact.

How can policymakers support New York’s health care system?
Policymakers are essential in strengthening New York’s health care system, especially for its diverse, densely populated communities. Support for sustainable funding models, particularly for safety-net institutions, is crucial to ensure equitable access to care. Investing in public health infrastructure, expanding mental health services, workforce development, and addressing social determinants of health are all critical measures needed to improve health outcomes for New Yorkers, especially the most vulnerable populations.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
Resilience and responsiveness are crucial for health care leaders, who must be prepared to face unexpected challenges and act quickly to protect patients, the workforce, and communities. This requires listening closely to teams, patients, and communities, and adapting plans in real time. Resilience goes beyond enduring challenges; it’s about innovating and emerging stronger. This mindset has enabled One Brooklyn Health to drive meaningful changes that prioritize quality care, even through difficult circumstances.

Wendy Stark is a life-long advocate for advancing access to sexual and reproductive health care and education that affirms and respects the right to bodily autonomy for all. Under Wendy’s leadership, PPGNY has enhanced patient care with the implementation of a streamlined electronic medical record system, launched its first virtual health center, and raised close to $25 million in support of PPGNY’s mission. Prior to assuming leadership at PPGNY, Wendy served as CEO of Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, the global leader in LGBTQ+ health care. 

Prior to becoming commissioner of the NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH), Dr. Sullivan served as senior VP for the Queens Health Network of the NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation, and as director of psychiatry at Elmhurst and Queens Hospitals. She is a distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, a clinical professor at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, a fellow of the NY Academy of Medicine, and a member of the American College of Psychiatrists.

Dr. Ramon Tallaj is an internist and the founder and chairman of SOMOS Community Care, a nonprofit network comprising over 2,500 culturally diverse, community-based physicians. This network is dedicated to delivering preventive care to more than 1 million Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries in low-income communities throughout New York City. Under Dr. Tallaj’s leadership, SOMOS has significantly enhanced preventive and chronic care management. With over 900 medical offices in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Nassau County, the network manages approximately 30,000 patient visits each day.

Jonathan Teyan is Associated Medical Schools of New York (AMSNY)’s president and CEO and has been instrumental in the organization’s growth since 2011. Jonathan spearheaded the expansion of AMSNY’s biomedical research portfolio, including the NYFIRST program, supporting the recruitment of scientists, and oversaw a recent expansion of AMSNY’s Diversity in Medicine initiatives providing pathways to careers in medicine. He led the development of the Fellowship to Address Oral Health Disparities to train dentists to treat people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Do you have advice for those interested in joining the health care field?
Learning to be an effective advocate is so important. Working in health care – whether it’s in clinical care, support services, or policy – gives you a platform to do so. You should use your voice so that policymakers in city, state and federal government pay attention to the important issues that affect patients.

How can policymakers support New York’s health care system?
First and foremost, we must address the big issues of access and equity. All New Yorkers deserve access to high quality clinical care, but we know there are longstanding systemic barriers to accessing care. Policymakers are uniquely positioned to support initiatives that reduce those barriers and ensure that our health care workforce receives the support it needs to deliver the very best care.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
Kindness and effectiveness are not incompatible. We can be relentless in attacking problems while having empathy and respect for everyone around us, even if we differ on the issues.

Lauren Tobias joined Brown and Weinraub after serving as a director in the NYS Department of Health working in public health, Medicaid, and regulatory policy. Lauren also served in the NYS Assembly and worked in the nonprofit sector. Lauren supports clients’ efforts to navigate the health care delivery system and identify opportunities to meet the needs of communities including efforts to advance health equity.

Eleonora Tornatore-Mikesh is a dynamic leader transforming Alzheimer’s care. With nearly two and a half decades of experience in senior living and health care, she has revolutionized long-term care, residential living, and memory care centers throughout her illustrious career. At CaringKind, Tornatore-Mikesh continues to break new ground in Alzheimer’s and related dementia caregiving. Her unwavering commitment to championing quality care, advancing education, and driving innovation makes her a true leader and visionary in her field.

Do you have advice for those interested in joining the health care field?
I advise those entering the health care field to prioritize compassion, adaptability, and lifelong learning. Health care is not just about technical expertise but about understanding and connecting with patients. The need for empathy is paramount, as health care professionals often encounter people at their most challenging moments. A constantly evolving field requires flexibility. When working with older adults, it is important to honor their dignity and individuality, and advocate for patient-centered care respecting their unique needs and experiences.

How can policymakers support New York’s health care system?
Policymakers can play a crucial role in improving the New York health care system by implementing a range of strategies: increasing access to care; addressing health care disparities; supporting health care workforce development; promoting mental health services, controlling health care costs; strengthening public health infrastructure; and improving long-term and elder care. By addressing these areas, policymakers can help create a more equitable, efficient, and sustainable health care system in New York.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
The most important lesson learned in my health care career is the significance of empathy and understanding the human experience behind every patient. Recognizing health care is not just about treating illnesses, but about truly listening to and connecting with people, respecting their dignity, and offering compassionate care. This lesson has shaped my approach to leadership in the aging space, emphasizing the need for holistic, person-centered care that goes beyond clinical outcomes to improve quality of life.

Pat Wang joined Healthfirst as president and CEO in 2008. She feels lucky to have been raised by her immigrant parents who instilled the values of hard work, gratitude, and never giving up.  Healthfirst today proudly serves 2 million members with some of the highest quality health insurance products in the State and nation and through the lens that all health care is local.

How can policymakers support New York’s health care system?
Health equity requires an unrelenting focus on quality, including through well-designed incentive programs that point all players towards aligned evidence-based metrics that span provider types and focus on population health measures like preventive care (e.g., cancer screenings) and outcomes (e.g., blood sugar controlled).  We also need to ensure that organizations serving the most vulnerable New Yorkers have adequate resources to achieve these goals.  

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
When the going gets tough, remember and be guided by the mission of the company, in particular, what is best for the individuals and families we serve.