Power Players in Health Care

Since January 2018, Eric Linzer has served as President and CEO of the New York Health Plan Association (HPA), which represents 28 health plans that provide coverage to 8 million New Yorkers. Prior to joining HPA, he spent 15 years at the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans, most recently serving as executive vice president where he was responsible for overseeing legislative and regulatory issues, outreach to business groups and brokers, and media relations and communications.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Working with stakeholders across the health care system to ensure that high-quality, affordable health care is available for all New Yorkers.

What is your favorite form of exercise?
HIIT – High Intensity Interval Training.

Do you have a favorite healthy meal?
Salmon and steamed vegetables.

As president and CEO of CVS Health, Karen Lynch draws on her 30+ years of experience in the health care industry to lead one of the largest health services companies, with nearly 10,000 pharmacies and 300,000 employees. Ms. Lynch is responsible every day for advancing the mission of CVS Health: to make health care more convenient and more personal. Ms. Lynch has served in the past as executive vice president of CVS Health and president of Aetna, and she is regularly acknowledged as one of the most powerful women in business.

Dr. Parag Mehta, M.D., F.A.C.P., is the senior vice chairman of the Department of Medicine and chief medical information officer at New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, as well as the president-elect for the Medical Society of the State of NY. As CMIO, he aims to improve patient safety, quality of care, clinical decision support, and patient-physician interactions. During the pandemic, he coordinated sending over a thousand oxygen concentrators and ventilators to communities in need. He is also a passionate advocate for physician wellness, mindfulness, and happiness – giving presentations to thousands of physicians throughout New York on combating burnout.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Bringing a positive change in the system through organized medicine. As a physician, making someone feel better, live healthier and longer. As an educator, mentoring future leaders. As a wellness champion, promoting mindfulness, spreading happiness. 

What is your favorite form of exercise?
Tennis, Hiking, Yoga.

Do you have a favorite healthy meal?
Lentil soup and salads.

Liz has been working in government for over 20 years and possesses extensive experience in health care policy, lobbying, budget development and strategic planning. Prior to joining Ostroff Associates, Liz served as the deputy Medicaid director at the New York State Department of Health for over 7 years, working on a variety of health care transformation initiatives in the areas of Medicaid policy, transportation, housing and the social determinants of health. As an advocate for the homeless, she co-authored the New England Journal of Medicine article titled “Housing as Health Care: New York’s Boundary-Crossing Experiment.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is the ability to help clients navigate the health care landscape and celebrate when we’ve achieved our goals.

What is your favorite form of exercise?
Hot Yoga.

Do you have a favorite healthy meal?
Acai Bowl.

Leslie Moran is senior vice president of the New York Health Plan Association, which represents 28 health plans that provide comprehensive health coverage to more than eight million New Yorkers. Established to promote the development of managed care plans in New York, HPA works with lawmakers, regulators and policy makers to help shape public health policy in the state. Leslie advocates on behalf of HPA’s members, helping to inform a wide range of groups about managed care and health plans’ role in New York’s health care system. 

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Working with our plans on efforts to ensure New Yorkers have access to quality, affordable health coverage.

What is your favorite form of exercise?
Super long walks with my two dogs.

Do you have a favorite healthy meal?
Grilled or broiled salmon with a side of seasonal veggies.

Since founding Health People as a women’s AIDS peer education program in 1990, Chris has developed its powerful peer model into a groundbreaking organization where effective health education, support and disease prevention is entirely delivered by low-income people who are themselves impacted by chronic disease and AIDS. They are also at the forefront of the city’s devastating diabetes epidemic. In 2005, Chris was selected for a special Nobel Peace Prize Nomination honoring 1,000 women from around the world for their local work.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Seeing people effectively help each other achieve renewed health where the official systems have totally failed them.

What is your favorite form of exercise?
Swimming (outside).

Do you have a favorite healthy meal?
Green Greek salad.

Deputy Vice President John O’Connor provides senior level management, leadership and strategic direction at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. Mr. O’Connor oversees the political operation and assists with the advocacy outreach at the state and local level. Currently, he supervises the operations in the District of Columbia, New Jersey, New York State, New York City, and Vermont. During his career at PhRMA he has provided governmental expertise in more than half of the 50 states and Puerto Rico.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Legislative success.

What is your favorite form of exercise?
Golf.

Do you have a favorite healthy meal?
Some days.

Dr. Ozuah is the president and CEO of Montefiore Medicine, the umbrella organization for Montefiore Health System’s 13 member hospitals, 200 ambulatory sites, and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. A nationally recognized physician, leader, executive, researcher, teacher and author, Dr. Ozuah previously served as President of Montefiore Health System. A National Institutes of Health–funded researcher and award-winning educator, he also served as Professor and University Chairman of Pediatrics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Physician-in-Chief of Children’s Hospital at Montefiore.