At NYC Health + Hospitals: Recent Clinical Leadership Team Appointments Announced, Pathway To Excellence With Distinction Designation
Editor’s note: When we covered this hospital network’s “We Belong Here” immigrant focused art exhibit, we also learned that 80% of New York’s immigrants have been here for 10 years or more.
NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/WOODHULL’S NEW CEO ANNOUNCES RECENT CLINICAL LEADERSHIP TEAM APPOINTMENTS
CEO Sandra Sneed, who joined the hospital in late March, looks to transform patient experience at Woodhull Hospital with new chiefs in various clinical roles
Ross MacDonald, MD, who joined the hospital in 2023, will remain as Chief Medical Officer; Dr. MacDonald previously served as CMO for the health care system’s Correctional Health Services
Wendy Wilcox, MD, MPH, MBA, FACOG, System Chief Women’s Health Officer is the new Chief of OB/GYN
Patrick Milord, MD, MBA, is the new Chief of Anesthesiology
(Brooklyn, NY) – NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull CEO Sandra Sneed today announced a new era at the hospital with her recent clinical team appointments. Sneed joined the hospital in late March with more than 20 years of senior leadership experience overseeing operations for hospitals across the country. As part of the new leadership team, Wendy Wilcox, MD, MPH, MBA, FACOG, is the new Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) at Woodhull Hospital, and Patrick Milord, MD, MBA is the hospital’s new Chief of Anesthesia. In addition to her new role, Dr. Wilcox will continue to serve as the health care system’s Chief Women’s Health Officer. Ross MacDonald, MD, who joined the hospital in 2023, will remain as Chief Medical Officer; Dr. MacDonald previously served as CMO for the health care system’s Correctional Health Services. All of the nearly two dozen recent appointments bring extensive experience, passion and a shared vision for a hospital where high quality care meets compassion. Together, they are driving innovation in clinical care, expanding access to vital health services, and fostering an environment where staff and patients alike feel empowered.
“Sandra Sneed, our new CEO at Woodhull Hospital, is drawing on her extensive hospital administration experience to drive quality improvements and build on the health care system’s mission of care for all without exception,” said Mitchell Katz, MD, President and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals. “As part of this, she’s assembled an exceptional clinical team from outside and within the hospital to deliver high quality care for the patients of Williamsburg and surrounding communities.”
“Our leadership team embodies the spirit of renewal and dedication essential to NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull’s mission,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull CEO Sandra Sneed, MBA, FACHE. “We are deeply committed to earning the trust of our community by providing exceptional care with respect, integrity, and excellence.”
“We are so heartened by the recent success in attracting talented and dedicated clinical leaders to work with our amazing team at Woodhull,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull Chief Medical Officer Ross MacDonald, MD. “When great clinical leaders come on board, they build great teams, innovate, and support the excellent staff who have worked here for years to do their jobs even better. We are excited and optimistic about the growth and improvement in store for the coming years.”
“As the Chief Nursing Officer, in collaboration with other members of our Senior Cabinet, ‘we are going from good to great,’” said NYC Health +Hospitals/Woodhull Chief Nursing Officer Althea Senior-Morris, MSN, RN. “The CNO role works with all members of the interdisciplinary team, as well as the community. My focus is on advancing care to our patients, families and community utilizing evidence-based practices and making data-driven decisions. By empowering staff with continuous learning, fostering competencies at all levels, and building strong partnerships with our community, we will drive innovation and ensure the highest quality of care. Together, we will continue to improve outcomes, elevate care standards, strengthen the trust our patients place in us and make Woodhull Hospital the health care facility of choice for Northern Brooklyn.”
“Joining Woodhull Hospital at this pivotal moment is both an honor and a privilege. As the newly appointed Community Advisory Board Chairperson, I am thrilled to be part of a movement that is transforming good into great—one that will not only elevate the care we provide but also strengthen the bond between the hospital and the vibrant community it serves. Together, we will build a future of health, hope, and healing for all,” said Reverend Ivette Delgado Luperena, NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull Community Advisory Board Chairperson.
The hospital’s recently restructured clinical leadership team includes:
- Chief Medical Officer Ross MacDonald, MD
- Chief Nursing Officer Althea Senior Morris, MSN, RN
- Chief of Surgery Javier Andrade, MD, FACS, FASMBS
- Vice Chief of Surgery Adedayo Ojo, MD
- Chief of Thoracic Surgery Angelo Reyes, MD
- Chief of Medicine Jonna Mercado, MD, MPH, FACP
- Chief of Ambulatory Care and Chief Quality Officer Jonathan Giftos, MD
- Clinical Director of Pediatric Ambulatory Care John Ang, MD
- Associate Chief of Ambulatory Care Jillian Diuguid-Gerber, MD
- Clinical Lead for Primary Care Substance Use Integration Zina Huxley-Reicher, MD
- Chief of Psychiatry Rajvee Vora, MD, MS
- Vice Chiefs of Psychiatry Mike Combs, MD and Maria Chona P. San Gabriel, MD, DFAPA
- Chief of OB/GYN Wendy Wilcox, MD, MPH, MBA, FACOG
- Vice Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology Lisa Brabham MD
- Chief of Anesthesia Patrick Milord, MD, MBA
- Vice Chief of Emergency Medicine Stefanie Gopaul, MD
- Chief of Pathology Muhammad Sulh, MD
- Vice Chief of Pathology Sonia Kamanda, MD
- Medical Director of Adult Primary Care and Geriatrics Michael Shen, MD
- Director of Safety Net Surabhi Nirkhe, MD
- Chief of Gastroenterology Manuel Martinez, MD
- Chief of Ophthalmology Mark Ghassibi, MD
- Chief of Pulmonary Nader Gabra, MD
- Director of Pain Management Sam Nia, MD
- Chief Medical Informatics Officer Kenan Katranji, DO
“At Woodhull Hospital, we deliver over 1,300 babies a year and as the new chief I will continue to build on the health care system’s commitment to maternal health,” said Wendy Wilcox, MD, MPH, MBA, FACOG, Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull. “Over the past seven years, the health care system has invested maternal health – creating the maternal home and delivering high-quality care for patients. We will continue that experience as we expand services here at the hospital.”
“Patient safety, in every phase of care, is paramount. I look forward to help build upon Woodhull’s commitment to the delivery of safe, quality care for all,” said Patrick Milord, MD, MBA, Chief of Anesthesiology at NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull.
“Under the visionary leadership of our new CEO Sandra Sneed, the future of Woodhull is incredibly bright,” said Javier Andrade, MD, FACS, FASMBS, Chief of Surgery and Perioperative Services at NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull. “As Chief of Surgery and Perioperative Services, I am eager to contribute to this exciting trajectory, reinforcing our commitment to trusted care and surgical excellence for every patient we serve.”
“Joining this incredible team is not just an opportunity to lead, but to build on the trust, compassion, and excellence that define this hospital. Together, we will create an environment where both our patients and staff feel supported, empowered, and excited to grow,” said Rajvee Vora, MD, MS, Chief of Psychiatry at NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull and Clinical Associate Professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
“After a career in clinical, non-profit, and governmental leadership roles, I was thrilled to join the NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull team in 2023. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of serving in several capacities — as a primary care doctor in our adult medicine clinic, as an attending supervising resident physicians, and currently as the Chief of Ambulatory Care and Chief Quality Officer for the hospital,” said Jonathan Giftos, MD, Chief of Ambulatory Care & Chief Quality Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull and Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. “It’s an exciting time to be part of NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull — partnering with our leadership, staff, and community to drive excellence in clinical outcomes, patient safety, and patient experience. I look forward to continuing this critical work in the years ahead.”
About NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull
NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull, part of the NYC Health + Hospitals health care system, is the major tertiary care provider in the borough of Brooklyn. It is a premiere health care organization for key specialties, including surgery, cardiology, women’s health, pediatrics, rehabilitation medicine, renal services, and behavioral health services. Last year, the hospital received close to 300,000 ambulatory care visits and close to 100,000 emergency room visits. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org/woodhull.
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation, serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlus health plan—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 43,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. possible.
NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/METROPOLITAN IS THE FIRST HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATION WORLDWIDE TO EARN THE PATHWAY TO EXCELLENCE WITH DISTINCTION DESIGNATION
The new designation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center recognizes the highest achievements in providing a positive practice environment and a culture of excellence
Metropolitan Hospital staff celebrate their Pathway to Excellence with Distinction designation. Image Credit – NYC H+H
New York, NY – July 15, 2025) – NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan announced today that it is the first health care organization worldwide to receive the Pathway to Excellence with Distinction designation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). This global recognition underscores the hospital’s commitment to cultivating a positive practice environment that empowers nurses and enhances patient outcomes. With this announcement, Metropolitan Hospital becomes one of just over 200 Pathway to Excellence health care organizations worldwide—an acknowledgment of its leadership in creating a culture of shared decision-making, safety, well-being, and professional development. The new Pathway to Excellence with Distinction designation recognizes the highest performing Pathway organizations around the world and is based on validation from the nursing workforce.
The Pathway to Excellence designation is a rigorous, evidence-based evaluation spanning six standards: leadership, shared decision-making, safety, quality, well-being, and professional development. Metropolitan Hospital’s submission included 407 pages of documentation, 27 narratives, and over 100 elements of performance detailing nurse-led initiatives focused on quality of care, patient and nursing safety, and interprofessional relationships that reflect a deep investment in professional nursing practice. Results of the staff-wide Pathway survey confirmed a strong sense of belonging, protection from workplace harm, access to educational opportunities, and a healthy work environment where nurses feel empowered and valued.
Metropolitan Hospital CEO Julien John, System Chief Nursing Executive Natalia Cineas, and Metropolitan Hospital staff celebrate their Pathway to Excellence with Distinction designation. Image Credit – NYC H+H
This designation demonstrates that Metropolitan Hospital maintains the clinical infrastructure, nursing leadership, and interdisciplinary coordination necessary to meet the highest standards of patient care. With nurses actively involved in clinical decision-making, care design, and quality initiatives, the hospital ensures that evidence-based practices are embedded across units and sustained over time. These practices have resulted in improved patient outcomes, shorter hospital stays, higher patient satisfaction, and stronger continuity across the care journey.
The Pathway framework supports a culture where clinical excellence is not only expected—but sustained—through interdisciplinary collaboration, professional development, and an unwavering focus on quality improvement. For patients, that translates to a facility where every decision is rooted in evidence, compassion, and a deep understanding of the communities we serve.
“The Pathway to Excellence designation validates what Metropolitan patients experience every day: coordinated, high-quality care delivered by nurses who lead with skill and uphold our values of integrity, compassion, accountability, respect, and excellence. To be recognized on the global stage alongside an elite group of institutions is not only a reflection of our commitment to meet the evolving needs of our community—it also reflects what our team has long known: that Metropolitan nurses are leaders not only in care, but in culture,” said Julian S. John, Chief Executive Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan.
“We are incredibly proud of NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan for receiving the Pathway to Excellence Designation with Distinction — a reflection of our unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of nursing excellence across our health care system. This recognition speaks volumes and stands as a testament to the voices of our nurses, who are at the heart of our mission. We applaud and support Metropolitan for setting a new standard in elevating nursing practice,” said Natalia Cineas, DNP, MSM-N, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, FADLN, Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive, NYC Health + Hospitals.
Metropolitan Hospital staff celebrate their Pathway to Excellence with Distinction designation. Image Credit – NYC H+H
“Today’s shared victory is one that validates the strength of our practice environment, the voice of our staff, and our leadership in nursing innovation. Pathway to Excellence with Distinction recognizes the infrastructure we’ve built to support clinical excellence, from how we staff our units and train our teams to how we respond to safety events and drive improvement. This honor belongs to every nurse at Metropolitan, all of whom are engaged, informed, and contribute to Metropolitan’s culture of excellence each day,” said Christopher G. Wilson, MSN, RN, CNML, CENP, NEA-BC, FACHE, Chief Nursing Officer, NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan.
“Metropolitan’s Pathway to Excellence submission captured hundreds of pages of evidence, but the true impact is felt at the bedside. Every survey response, every metric, and every story we told in this process reflected a nursing culture built on accountability, equity, and collaboration. This Pathway with Distinction designation reflects the quality of care delivered at Metropolitan and demonstrates that nurses are central to how we deliver it,” said Wesley J. Stephens, MSN, RN, CCRN, NE-BC, Associate Director of Nursing, Nursing Excellence & Research, NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan.
Banner Image: Metropolitan Hospital staff celebrate their Pathway to Excellence with Distinction designation. Image Credit – NYC H+H
