Ram Raju, M.D., the former head of NYC Health + Hospitals, has been appointed to senior vice president and community health investment officer at New York-based Northwell Health.
In his new leadership position, Dr. Raju “will evaluate the needs of the most-vulnerable communities Northwell Health serves, assess programs that enhance the health system's ability to respond to those needs and collaborate with community-based organizations to create problem-solving solutions,” according to a press release statement from the organization.
Raju previously served as president and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals from January 2014 until stepping down in November 2016. NYC Health + Hospitals, the largest public health system in the U.S., includes 42,000 employees, 11 acute-care hospitals, five nursing homes, six diagnostic and treatment centers, more than 70 community-based health centers, a large home care agency and one of the region's largest providers of government-sponsored health insurance, MetroPlus Health Plan.
"Northwell Health created a position that enables me to pursue my passionate interest in improving population health and addressing the social determinants of health,” Raju said in a statement. "I thoroughly enjoyed the many years I spent at NYC Health + Hospitals, which gave me valuable insight into the needs of our most-vulnerable communities and how health policies can positively influence the delivery of care and improve outcomes. My new role with Northwell will enable me to promote, sustain and advance an environment that supports equity and diversity, and help eliminate health disparities within the communities served by Northwell throughout the city, Long Island and Westchester County."
Michael J. Dowling, Northwell Health's president and CEO, added in his own statement, “Ram's vast experience, deep commitment to caring for vulnerable communities and keen understanding of New York's healthcare delivery system make him the ideal individual to lead our efforts.”
