Power Players in Health Care

As chief executive officer of Summit Health, Jeff Alter leads a health care network comprised of over 2,000 providers and more than 9,000 employees spread across 200 locations in New York, New Jersey, and Central Oregon. Mr. Alter’s enthusiasm for patient-centered care is reflected in the mission of Summit Health, which seeks to integrate and simplify health care by expanding access and utilizing more efficient digital technologies. Before joining Summit Health, Mr. Alter served as executive vice president of Anthem Health Solutions and has served on the board of CityMD since 2017.

With over 30 years of experience promoting health equity, Dr. Mary Bassett has been appointed by Governor Hochul as incoming commissioner of the Department of Health. Commissioner Bassett most recently held the position of director of the François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University. She also previously served as commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, where she worked to reduce health disparities between white communities and communities of color by addressing structural racism.

Dr. Albert Bourla has served as Pfizer’s chief executive officer since 2019, although his career with the company spans more than 25 years and several roles. Most recently, he is credited with driving Pfizer’s transformation into a more innovative, science-driven organization which is now widely known for delivering a COVID-19 vaccine in record time. Before assuming his current role, Dr. Bourla was the company’s chief operating officer, and from 2014 to 2016 he was group president of Pfizer’s Global Vaccines, Oncology, and Consumer Healthcare business, where he was responsible for, among other things, developing the company’s leadership in vaccines.

LaRay Brown was appointed in July 2017 as the chief executive officer of One Brooklyn Health System, Inc., serving central and northeast Brooklyn. Ms. Brown was instrumental in bringing together the three diverse boards of Brookdale Hospital Medical Center, Interfaith Medical Center, and Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center to create One Brooklyn Health System. Ms. Brown previously held the position of senior vice president for corporate planning, community health, and intergovernmental relations at New York City Health and Hospitals, and also served as a member of former governor Andrew Cuomo’s health care transition and Medicaid Redesign teams. 

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Working with incredibly dedicated professionals who have a strong sense of mission.

What is your favorite form of exercise?
Walking.

Do you have a favorite healthy meal?
Any seafood, salad, and brussels sprouts.

Joy D. Calloway is a transformational leader with 27 years of health care and nonprofit leadership experience. Since joining Planned Parenthood of Greater New York a year ago, Joy has steered the organization’s recovery from the COVID-19 health crisis with the reopening of five health centers across the state. Through her leadership, PPGNY is continuing to uphold its mission to create equitable access to sexual and reproductive health care for New Yorkers and people across the country who are unable to access compassionate, essential health services.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
I love problem-solving: pulling the right people together to dissect a problem, consider root causes and determine, enact and communicate a resolution.

What is your favorite form of exercise?
I have SERIOUSLY missed it, but I love ZUMBA classes! I also enjoy toning with weights.

Do you have a favorite healthy meal?
I’m a foodie, so it’s hard to pick an overall favorite; I have a new favorite every week as I explore New York’s restaurant scene. My CURRENT favorite is the roasted chicken salad at Lafayette restaurant in NYC.

Al Cardillo is president and CEO of the Home Care Association of New York State, which is comprised 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.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
All facets of supporting providers, clinicians, and patients

What is your favorite form of exercise?
Uechi-ryu Karate-do – Fifth Degree Black Belt

Do you have a favorite healthy meal?
Mediterranean

As executive vice president and chief of provider services for the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, Andria Castellanos oversees all initiatives related to provider services. She applies a combination of strategic vision and operational management expertise to directing this vitally important part of the organization, with the goal of helping to ensure that the care VNSNY delivers meets the highest standards of quality, patient satisfaction and safety, operational efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Our teams have a real impact on the lives of those we serve, and that feels really good. “We did 2,500 Home Care visits today,” a colleague said recently — in just one VNSNY service area. Especially during the pandemic, it’s rewarding to know that the safety net we provide is making a real difference.

What is your favorite form of exercise?
Hiking with my German Shepherd Mary in the woods is my favorite exercise — and “hiking” in the City for her daily walks is pretty good too.

Do you have a favorite healthy meal?
I love to make homemade soups and usually cook up a pot on Sunday, so I have lunches for the week at work. Vegetable tofu soup with avocado on the side is a fave!

Dr. Dave Chokshi is the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s commissioner and a renowned public health expert. He has been committed to improving New York’s health care system throughout his career, and is experienced in both city and state Departments of Health. Dr. Chokshi has also been active in emergency response services following natural disasters. Prior to assuming his current position, Dr. Chokshi served as chief population health officer at NYC Health + Hospitals.

John Coppola has worked as a clinician, administrator, and advocate throughout his career, most notably working to strengthen addiction prevention, treatment, recovery and harm reduction services. He has made contributions on a local, state, and national basis and is a valued participant in policy and program development. Most recently, John’s advocacy work has helped to increase federal funding for addiction services in NYS and ensure that opioid settlement funds are properly allocated to strengthen addiction services.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Helping people to see their innate power and goodness and celebrating the capacity of people to heal and live healthy lives in recovery.

What is your favorite form of exercise?
Working outdoors, preferably in a garden or landscaping. A long walk in a natural setting is also a favorite.

Do you have a favorite healthy meal?
Grilled salmon with freshly picked vegetables.

Steven J. Corwin, M.D., is president and chief executive officer of New York-Presbyterian, one of the nation’s largest, most comprehensive health care systems. Dr. Corwin has launched groundbreaking initiatives, including the installation of a single, integrated, electronic medical record across NYP and the development of state-of-the-art care facilities. Under Dr. Corwin’s leadership, NYP undertook a multifaceted response to the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing inpatient capacity, staffing needs, equipment shortages, disease management, and patient and community education.