An insider’s view on healthcare today: Foremost insights from a top healthcare CEO

Michael Dowling is one of health care’s most influential voices, taking a stand on societal issues such as gun violence and immigration that many health system CEOs shy away from. As president and CEO of Northwell Health, he leads a clinical, academic and research enterprise with a workforce of more than 84,000 and an annual operating budget of $16.5 billion.

Mr. Dowling has been honored with many awards over the years. In 2020, he received the Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad, which recognizes individuals for their contributions to Ireland and to Irish communities abroad, presented by the President of Ireland. He also received an honorary fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and is a board member of the Foreign Policy Association.

In addition, he received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and a number of honorary degrees from Fordham University, University College Dublin (Ireland) and the prestigious Queen’s University Belfast.

In 2020, Mr. Dowling received the Deming Cup from the Columbia Business School and has been ranked No. 1 on Modern Healthcare’s 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare in 2022. In 2017, he served as the Grand Marshal of the Patrick’s Day Parade in NYC. He also chairs the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.

Prior to joining Northwell in 1995, Mr. Dowling served in New York State government for 12 years. He held several leadership roles, including director of health, education and human services; commissioner of social services and deputy secretary and chief adviser to former Governor Mario Cuomo. Mr. Dowling was previously a professor of social policy and an assistant dean of Fordham’s Graduate School of Social Services.