Michael Dowling, a County Limerick native who heads one of the country's largest health care systems, will step down from his role as Northwell Health CEO on October 1.
Northwell announced the move Wednesday, May 14. The company's executive vice president, Dr. John D'Angelo, will take over as CEO.
After more than 23 years at the Northwell helm, Dowling will adopt an advisory position as CEO emeritus.
"It has been an extraordinary privilege to lead Northwell through a period of unprecedented growth and clinical transformation that has enabled our team members to make a meaningful difference and improve the lives of the tens of millions of patients and families who we've cared for over the last 25 years," said Dowling.
Dowling rose to particular public prominence during the Covid pandemic as an advisor to then New York governor Andrew Cuomo.
Said Northwell in a press release:" Mr. Dowling’s transition marks the end of an extraordinary tenure characterized by significant growth, industry innovation, and a steadfast commitment to enhancing health for all. Over the past two decades, his visionary leadership has transformed Northwell from a network of Long Island-based hospitals into one of the nation's ten largest health systems, renowned for its clinical, academic, and research excellence. Under his leadership, Northwell became New York State’s first integrated health system in 1992 and now includes 28 hospitals across New York and Connecticut, employing 104,000 individuals, with over 14,000 affiliated physicians, 1,000 care locations, and a comprehensive network of home care, rehabilitation, and end-of-life services.
"As president and CEO of Northwell, Michael Dowling spearheaded the system's remarkable expansion, championing investments in research, leading to the growth of the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research and positioning Northwell at the forefront of bioelectronic medicine.
"His dedication to innovative medical education through the Zucker School of Medicine, the Hofstra-Northwell School of Nursing, and Northwell’s Center for Learning and Innovation has cultivated the next generation of health care professionals. Additionally, Mr. Dowling has taken a leadership role in addressing gun violence, the leading cause of death among children in the United States, recognizing it as a critical health care issue. He has mobilized over 60 health care CEOs nationwide to support gun violence prevention. For 18 consecutive years, he has been named to Modern Healthcare magazine’s list of the “100 Most Influential People in Healthcare,” achieving the magazine’s #1 ranking in 2022."
Dowling's resignation comes one week after Northwell finalized a merger with Nuvance Health. The company said it will invest at least $1 billion in Nuvance hospitals, expanding Northwell's presence in the Hudson Valley and western Connecticut. The combined nonprofit network now operates 28 hospitals and more than 1,050 care locations, employing about 104,000 people.
In addition to his role at Northwell, Michael Dowling has been a prominent member of the Irish and Irish American community over the years. He was Grand Marshal of the 2017 New York Saint Patrick's Day Parade.
He is also an author. His book about growing up in Knockaderry, County Limerick and his later immigration to America, "After The Roof Caved In," was well received when first published in 2020. Dowling is a graduate of University College Cork and Fordham University.
