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Nassau Health Care Corporation Board Appoints New Leadership Team

Meg Ryan Becomes the First Woman to Lead the Corporation After Previously Serving as NHCC’s General Counsel and Interim President and CEO


NHCC Board Also Names New Chief Medical Officer, Chief Nursing Officer and First In-House Chairs of Pathology and Cardiology for NUMC in 15 Years 

(East Meadow, NY) – After a year of significant financial and operational reforms that have placed Nassau University Medical Center in the strongest financial position in years, despite drastic State budget cuts, the Board of Directors of Nassau Health Care Corporation (NHCC) voted today to appoint several new members to the leadership team for the largest safety-net hospital on Long Island. New appointees include Megan C. Ryan as President and CEO. Ms. Ryan had previously served for nearly a decade as General Counsel of the corporation and had been acting as Interim President and CEO since January.

Other appointments approved include NUMC veteran physician Dr. Grace Ting as Chief Medical Officer, and Shannon Costello, MSN, RN as Chief Nursing Officer. Both had been serving in those roles as interim appointments. The NHCC Board also agreed for the first time in 15 years to have in-house Chairs of Cardiology and Pathology, which will help provide better full time development of those critical divisions of the hospital to increase revenue. Compensation packages approved for the new executives are all in line with industry and area standards or below those of their counterparts at other major safety net hospitals in New York State.

NUMC provides $1 billion in healthcare services annually to more than 270,000 diverse patients, including the uninsured and undocumented. The leadership of NHCC is in the process of initiating litigation against the Nassau Interim Finance Authority and the State of New York, over a scheme uncovered by NUMC’s leadership to deprive the hospital of hundreds of millions in funding.

NHCC released the following statements in response to these appointments:

NHCC PRESIDENT AND CEO MEGAN RYAN STATED:

“The more than seven years that I’ve spent working with the staff and patients of NUMC as General Counsel and interim President and CEO have greatest honor of my career. I thank the NHCC board of directors for its confidence in allowing me to continue the enormous progress we’ve made toward ensuring this critical institution thrives for many years to come.

“While some want to mislead the public into thinking the hospital is failing, over the last nine months, we’ve made tremendous progress—from expanding patient services and inaugurating new facilities to dramatically improving our financial position, securing the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval and increasing our ratings for the first time in six years. It is a testament to the work of our leadership team and the commitment of our more than 3,600 employees, including our talented doctors, nurses, and support staff. Together, we are much more than a hospital. We are a beacon of hope, compassion and care for those who need it most. I look forward to continuing that public service to our community and protecting this vital resource for Nassau and beyond.”

NHCC CHAIRMAN MATTHEW BRUDERMAN STATED:

“Nobody works harder than Meg and nobody cares more about the success of the hospital than she does. As the first woman to lead this critical health care facility, she is an inspiration to so many, including the next generation of health care professionals being trained at NUMC. Her commitment and capability have been repeatedly demonstrated by the enormous progress she’s made toward implementing the financial reform plan I announced last year and other improvements to facilities and services that have been realized under her watch. She is also one of the individuals who uncovered New York State’s massive Medicaid scam that has deprived the hospital of the resources to which it is legally entitled.

“The nation’s top placement firm, Korn Ferry made clear that it was in NUMC’s best interest to leverage the institutional knowledge, strong staff relationships and experience of Meg to meet our need for a new President and CEO. In my discussions with the leaders of the other major health systems in the county, they too believed that Meg’s track record and experience were assets that should be leveraged for the benefit of our patients and staff. She has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to this institution and brings to the job a real record of results. I have no doubt she will serve our growing patient population with distinction. While NYS and NIFA work overtime to prevent the progress we’re making here, scheme about power grabs, and cover up their malfeasance, Meg is working to ensure NUMC is saved. Together with Dr. Ting, Chief Nurse Costello and the rest of this team, NUMC is in an outstanding position to serve everyone who needs care.”

NHCC BOARD MEMBER JOHN DESMOND STATED:

“As the former managing partner of one of the nation’s largest auditing firms, I can tell you that the experience, passion and institutional knowledge Meg Ryan will bring to the job will be truly invaluable. The work she has done to implement reforms that have significantly improved the financial position of NHCC have been exceptional. In fact, this whole leadership team represents the most professional and qualified group of executives the hospital has had in decades.

“Under her leadership as interim president and CEO, strategic fiscal initiatives have bolstered the institution’s sustainability for the benefit of the more than 270,000 patients we serve each year. Meg Ryan’s forward-thinking approach and dedication to excellence have significantly enhanced NUMC’s role in the community, ensuring it remains a vital resource for those in need. I offer Ms. Ryan and the rest of her outstanding team my sincere congratulations.”

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