2025 Power Players in Health Care

Chris Croken serves as vice president for business development healthcare at FourLeaf Federal Credit Union, which brings financial wellness and support, maintaining relationships across 10 Hospital systems, 35 large hospitals and 700+ locations. With 16 years of experience supporting health care professionals, Chris has played a key role in FourLeaf’s partnership with Northwell Health since 2017. He also serves as president of the Farmingdale State College Alumni Association board of directors.

How do you expect the health care field to change in the next five years?
I expect continued evolution and changes in how health care employees connect with and care for their patients. This industry is in a constant state of change along with the impacts of AI learning.

As this year comes to an end, what are your goals for 2026?
My goals for 2026 include FourLeaf Federal Credit Union’s expansion in Connecticut within seven large hospitals. In addition, we will be enhancing our technological connectivity/support across our partnership, membership and employee experience channels, which will continue to add high impact as we expand across new markets across the U.S.

Elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2024, Dr. Cunningham leads New York’s addiction services with a focus on equity, harm reduction, and data-driven care. Since her appointment, New York reduced overdose deaths through expanded access to overdose-prevention supplies and medication for addiction treatment, led the nation in opioid settlement fund distribution, and expanded problem gambling services. Cunningham integrated opioid treatment into primary care early in her career and has published extensively on treatment.

What piece of health care related legislation would you like to see passed in the near future?
I am not currently focused on one specific piece of legislation to advance addiction care in the near future. Instead, what’s most important is to ensure that New York is best positioned to mitigate negative actions taken by the federal government, preserve the full continuum of addiction services, and deliver services equitably across NYS.

How do you expect the health care field to change in the next five years?
With the federal administration’s cuts to Medicaid and proposed cuts to federal agencies, I am worried that health outcomes will worsen and many New Yorkers will not have access to care and support. The attacks on harm reduction and diversity, equity, and inclusion will particularly harm those with addiction. Despite shifting national priorities, New York will continue supporting and advancing prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery-focused care, ensuring access to timely, compassionate, and evidence-based services.

As this year comes to an end, what are your goals for 2026?
My goal is to further expand access to prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery services, while strengthening the addiction services workforce and deepening community partnerships. We will continue reducing stigma, advancing harm reduction strategies, and ensuring that care remains data-driven, equitable, and compassionate. Above all, we aim to create a system where every New Yorker affected by addiction can live a healthier, more fulfilling life.

A physician first and foremost, Dr. John D’Angelo leads with compassion. With over 25 years of practical experience, he continues to transform health care operations with his recent appointment as president and CEO of Northwell Health, the Northeast’s largest nonprofit health system. He oversees a complex network of 28 hospitals and 104,000 employees, including over 1,000 outpatient facilities, 22,000 nurses and over 20,000 physicians with an operating budget of $22.6 billion.

What piece of health care related legislation would you like to see passed in the near future?
I’d like to see legislation supporting care models that are more proactive and preventative. This could include policies incentivizing technology adoption for early detection – potentially through accessible virtual platforms – and empowering a diverse, community-based health care workforce so patients have consistent access to local resources. These components are crucial to tackling chronic disease and shifting our focus from episodic treatment to true population health.

How do you expect the health care field to change in the next five years?
I see health care moving towards personalized care, powered in part by technology and artificial intelligence. With accurate, data-driven insights and thoughtful adoption of the right tools, we can keep people healthier longer and redefine our relationship with health and prevention: we can shift the focus from our current reactive approach and look at “health-span,” and be in better health, longer.

As this year comes to an end, what are your goals for 2026?
My immediate goals for 2026 keep us focused on our quest to be the best in health care. I’m encouraging that by learning from our frontline teams across all markets, successfully integrating the Nuvance Health system, and building a forward-thinking senior leadership team. We’re doing that by reinforcing Northwell’s soul, its purpose-driven culture, while advancing strategies for accessible, proactive care. Our strong foundation allows us to evolve in a strategic, disciplined way.

Lisa David is the president and CEO of Public Health Solutions, where she leads efforts to improve health outcomes and help underserved families thrive. With over 30 years of experience in public health and health care, she has held senior roles at Medicines360, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and Columbia University. Lisa also serves on multiple advisory committees and boards, advancing health equity and strengthening community-based partnerships across New York City.

Michael believes everyone should have access to every opportunity to prevent, detect, treat – and survive – cancer. He’s a leading advocate for passing evidence-based public policies across New York state. Recently, he’s built coalitions and led campaigns that successfully removed barriers to cancer screening, secured millions for cancer screening and tobacco control initiatives, as well as laws that help patients avoid crushing medical debt and access the right medicine at the right time.

What piece of health care related legislation would you like to see passed in the near future?
Policymakers can start by passing legislation that ensures that everyone can take time off for cancer screening and treatment without going into financial debt and legislation to increase access to patient navigation services. But to be bold, it’s time for New York State to launch a state cancer research program that will accelerate lifesaving research, create jobs, strengthen our economy and make New York a global center for medical innovation.

How do you expect the health care field to change in the next five years?
Changing federal priorities have led the fight against cancer to a crossroads. The current situation in Washington, D.C, and its impact on New Yorkers, including shifting federal support for cancer research and the ability of people to access care, will dramatically change how we prevent, detect, and treat cancer. It is up to state policymakers to ensure that progress in the fight against cancer continues and we don’t leave underserved communities behind.

As this year comes to an end, what are your goals for 2026?
Over the past 30 years, we have made extraordinary progress in the fight against cancer. Death rates are down, survival rates are up, and countless lives have been saved. Yet even with these advances, in 2026, more than 123,000 New Yorkers will hear the words “you have cancer.” Will New York accept this as inevitable, or will we lead the charge to change it? In 2026, state policymakers need to step up and lead.

Emma DeVito is president and chief executive officer for VillageCare and VillageCareMAX Managed Care Health Plans. VillageCare is a community-based nonprofit organization that offers managed care and other community-based services. With nearly 40,000 members, VillageCareMAX is one of the largest and fastest-growing Managed Long-Term Care Plans in New York. Emma has served on numerous boards, including AmidaCare, treasurer for Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), Brooklyn Health Home, and LeadingAge’s National Audit Committee, and held leadership roles with GNYHA and LeadingAge New York.

Danielle DiBari, a seasoned health care executive, has led transformational initiatives implementing cutting-edge technology across NYC Health + Hospitals. Her efforts include a fully integrated medication management system that improves safety and streamlines workflow, and more notably, a new outpatient pharmacy system that generates significant new revenue for reinvestment in patient care. Currently, Dr. DiBari is leading the rollout of a state-of-the-art ERP platform to increase efficiency, reduce costs, enhance security, and improve employee and patient experience.

Sean Doolan, Esq., has 30+ years of experience in government relations, general counsel and administrative law. Doolan provides strategic, legal, regulatory and legislative representation for clients on a wide range of issues at every level of state government. He’s responsible for providing such representation for clients with interests like health plans, health care providers, insurers, and technology companies. Doolan is the lead legislative and regulatory counsel on the most complex and intricate health care, insurance and transactional initiatives.

What piece of health care related legislation would you like to see passed in the near future?
i) Legislation which improves the affordability of health insurance; (ii) Legislation which addresses the inadequate Medicaid reimbursement for long-term care providers.

How do you expect the health care field to change in the next five years?
Over the next several years, I think there will be an increase in the number of health care “vertical integrations”, including more unconventional collaborations between providers within different sectors, health plans, and other stakeholders.

As this year comes to an end, what are your goals for 2026?
2026 will be a challenging year for the health sector in New York; our goal is to strive to provide creative legal and political solutions for our health care clients in navigating through the challenges ahead.

Saeeda Dunston has served as Elmcor’s chief executive officer since 2014, leading initiatives that advance health equity and community wellness in Queens and the East Elmhurst/Corona neighborhoods. Under her leadership, Elmcor has expanded behavioral health, prevention, and supportive housing programs addressing disparities among marginalized populations. Recognized for her culturally competent and health-centered approach, Saeeda continues to champion holistic, community-driven strategies that promote healing, resilience, and empowerment for individuals and families across New York City.

What piece of health care related legislation would you like to see passed in the near future?
I would like to see legislation that strengthens the public health framework accompanying New York’s decriminalization of drugs. This could include expanded funding for harm reduction services, access to treatment and recovery programs, and supportive housing for people with substance use disorders. By pairing decriminalization with comprehensive, community-based health services, the law would reduce overdose deaths, promote equity, and shift the focus from punishment to prevention, treatment, and long-term wellness for individuals and communities.

How do you expect the health care field to change in the next five years?
I expect the field to face significant challenges over the next five years due to cuts in funding to Medicaid and other essential services. Reduced resources limit access to care, particularly for vulnerable populations, including those with substance use and behavioral health needs. Providers will face increased pressure to maintain quality care, leading to workforce strain and turnover. These challenges threaten to widen health disparities and highlight the need for equitable funding and workforce support.

As this year comes to an end, what are your goals for 2026?
In 2026, my goal is to expand access to supportive and affordable housing as a foundation for improved health outcomes. Stable housing is essential to recovery, wellness, and community connection. I plan to strengthen partnerships that integrate housing with behavioral health, harm reduction, and wraparound services, ensuring individuals have the stability needed to thrive. By addressing housing as a core health determinant, we can reduce disparities and create more equitable, resilient communities.

Bruce J. Flanz is the president and CEO of the MediSys Health Network, which includes Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and Flushing Hospital Medical Center. As the leader of a safety-net organization with more than 50 years of health care experience, Mr. Flanz had the foresight to prioritize and support wellness as a core value for himself and his team. Bruce has dedicated his career to bringing the highest quality, most cost-effective services to underserved communities.