NYC Health + Hospitals has appointed Dominican-born Cristina Contreras, LMSW, MPA, FABC as the CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln. NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health system in the United States, with a network of 11 acute care hospitals, trauma centers, and nursing homes.
In this capacity, as of 16 September 2024 she is responsible of ensuring all New Yorkers have access to high-quality health care, growing services at the hospitals, and developing strategies to support staff recruitment and retention. Contreras brings with her a deep personal connection to the public health system and communities she will serve. Contreras has worked at the health system since 1995 and is a a leader in the Dominican community in the New York area.
Born in the Dominican Republic, Cristina Contreras has over 29 years of progressive leadership experience in executive level management of inpatient, ambulatory, clinical and ancillary services hospital operations. She started her career as a caseworker and successfully progressed through various positions of leadership with increasing responsibility, culminating with her appointment, in 2021, as Chief Executive Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan in East Harlem. In this role, Contreras expanded access to care for underserved communities, recruited and cultivated outstanding talent, advanced programs of excellence and improved financial and operational performance.
In recognition of her leadership and service to the community, Contreras has been the recipient of a variety of honors and awards, including being consistently listed on the City and State Power Players List, the Government Service Leadership Award by 100 Hispanic Women National, and a Hero of Hope and Champion of Inclusion by the NYC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She also serves as the Chair of the National Dominican Day Parade since April 2021, on the Board of the NY Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, and on the Board of Directors of R.A.I.N. Total Care, Inc.
Contreras holds a Bachelors degree in Social Work from Herbert H. Lehman College, a Master’s degree in Social Work from Fordham University, and a second Master’s degree in Public Administration from Baruch College. In 2023, Contreras received the New York College of Podiatric Medicine’s honorary degree of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa, at their annual commencement.
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NYC Health + Hospitals
El Dia
3 September 2024