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Tag: nassau university medical center

  • Richard Kessel named chairman of Nassau University Medical Center board

    The Blueprint:
    • appointed chairman of board
    • Kessel replaces Stuart Rabinowitz on NUMC board
    • Kessel previously chaired Nassau County Interim Finance Authority
    • The public benefit hospitalserves at-risk patients in Nassau

    Richard Kessel has been appointed chairman of the Board of Directors of –based by New York State Governor .

    Kessel replaces Stuart Rabinowitz, the former president of Hofstra University, who left the NUMC board in March.

    Kessel most recently served as chairman and director of the Nassau County Interim Finance Authority (NIFA), a position from which he stepped down Monday, officials confirmed.

    “Richard Kessel brings decades of leadership experience in government, public policy and complex organizations,” Gov.  Kathy Hochul said in a written statement.

    The public benefit hospital, overseen by (NHCC), serves at-risk patients in Nassau, and has been operating under new leadership aiming to overcome its financial strain.

    Kessel’s “proven record of public service, commitment to Long Island and ability to navigate challenging issues make him exceptionally well-suited to lead the board as NHCC continues its mission of providing high-quality care to the communities we serve,” Hochul said.

    Kessel was appointed NIFA director and chair by Hochul in 2023. From 2018 to 2022 he served as chairman of the Nassau County Industrial Development Agency, and prior to that was president and CEO of the New York Power Authority for nearly three years.

    He had previously served two terms as chairman of the Long Island Power Authority Board of Trustees, and was responsible for decomissioning the Shoreham Nuclear Power Station.

    NUMC has struggled financially for years. Increasing medical costs, political in-fighting, inflation, challenges with Medicaid reimbursement and a reduction in New York State aid have all played a role in the financial challenges faced by NUMC, as LIBN has previously reported.

    In January, , a veteran healthcare leader stepped up as CEO of the hospital. Kessel told Newsday that he believes the hospital was “making real progress” under Stokes, adding that he wanted to “continue that progress.”

    Under a restructuring approved by state lawmakers in 2025, Kessel will lead an 11-member board, with six seats filled by the governor. The board oversees the 530-bed hospital in East Meadow, along with community centers, medical services at the Nassau County jail and the A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility.

    Meanwhile, the New York State Senate has reappointed to the NIFA board, a state official confirmed to LIBN. With Kessel’s departure  from NIFA, Meghji has assumed the role of the authority’s chair.

     


    Adina Genn

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  • Nassau University Medical Center gets $109.6M in state funding | Long Island Business News

    THE BLUEPRINT:

    • awarded $109.6M.

    • Funding reduces projected 2026 operating loss from $167.1M to $82.5M.

    • New CEO leads reforms to improve efficiency, oversight and patient care.

    • State investment is designed to support long-term financial stability and services in Nassau County.

    East Meadow-based received $109.6 million in as continued efforts aim to ease the public benefit hospital’s financial strain. The hospital serves at-risk patients in Nassau County and is operating under new leadership.

    The funding includes $82.1 million from the Department of ‘s Vital Access Provider Assurance Program (VAPAP) for state fiscal year 2025-26 and $27.5 million from an Inter-Governmental Transfer (IGT) tied to enhanced federal funding during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

    Of the VAPAP funds, $25 million was received in August 2025, with the remaining $57.1 million expected in the first quarter of 2026. The $57.1 million balance and the $27.5 million IGT funds were not included in NUMC’s previously approved budget and, according to the hospital, will reduce the hospital’s projected 2026 operating loss to $82.5 million from $167.1 million.

    The hospital has struggled financially for years. Increasing medical costs, political in-fighting, inflation, challenges with Medicaid reimbursement and a reduction in New York State aid have all played a role in the financial challenges faced by NUMC, as LIBN has previously reported.

    The investment announced late Thursday afternoon follows a year of changes under NUMC’s new board. With Tom Stokes now serving as CEO, the hospital is set to continue implementing reforms, according to NUMC officials. In his first days, Stokes has highlighted areas to improve performance, while ongoing efforts focus on enhancing financial oversight, controlling costs, and improving revenue and operational efficiency.

    “I am deeply committed to restoring and strengthening this hospital for the patients and communities who depend on us,” Stokes said in a news release about the funding.

    “Gov. Hochul’s support affirms that our work is headed in the right direction,” he added. “With this critical investment, we can continue building a stronger, more stable future for NUMC – one that delivers the quality, access, and accountability our residents deserve.”

    “This funding acknowledges the difficult but necessary reforms underway and provides the financial runway needed to continue stabilizing operations, improving care , and positioning the hospital for long-term sustainability,” Stuart Rabinowitz, chair of the Nassau Health Care Corporation Board, said in the news release.

    “This funding marks an important step forward for NHCC and reflects growing confidence in the direction of its leadership,” Richard Kessel, chairman and director at the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, said in the news release. “We look forward to continued collaboration in supporting NHCC’s financial stability and ensuring that public resources are managed effectively.”

     


    Adina Genn

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  • NUMC receives $1M gift for 3D mammography, bone scans | Long Island Business News

    THE BLUEPRINT:

    • receives $1M anonymous donation to advance women’s .

    • Funding will upgrade and bone density scanning systems.

    • New tech improves detection and reduces unnecessary biopsies.

    East Meadow-based (NUMC) received an anonymous $1 million donation to advance women’s health.

    The gift, which was secured by NUMC Board of Directors Chair Stuart Rabinowitz, will fund 3D mammography and bone density scanning systems to enhance the hospital’s ability to diagnose breast cancer and bone health.

    “This extraordinary act of generosity will help us detect breast cancer and osteoporosis earlier, treat them more effectively, and save countless lives,” Dr. Richard Becker, NUMC Interim CEO, said in a news release about the gift.

    “This is an investment in every woman who entrusts her care to NUMC,” Becker added

    “The new technology funded by the generosity of an anonymous donor has strengthened NUMC’s ability to provide the highest quality care to our patients,” Rabinowitz said in the news release.

    “We are deeply committed to ensuring accessible care for every member of our community, and this investment will help us deliver on that promise for generations to come,” Rabinowitz added.

    The donation comes at a critical moment for NUMC, which works to provide equitable, high-quality healthcare to women across Long Island, particularly those in underserved communities. Its current mammography equipment, purchased in 2010, has reached the end of its operational lifespan.

    On Long Island, about one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, with even higher rates seen among underserved communities that turn to NUMC for care, according to the hospital. can make a life-saving difference, leading to less invasive treatment and far better outcomes, medical experts say.

    The donation will fund new Hologic 3D mammography systems with biopsy capability to streamline diagnosis and speed care. The systems produce high-resolution 3D images that help improve cancer detection accuracy, reduce unnecessary biopsies and cut “anxiety-inducing” callback rates by nearly 50 percent, hospital officials said. The systems also feature self-controlled compression for greater patient comfort and allow screening and biopsy on the same platform.

    NUMC’s Mobile Mammography Unit (also known as the “Mammo Van”) already brings Hologic 3D technology directly into the community, expanding access to breast cancer screening for patients who may otherwise face barriers to care. The new in-hospital systems will build on these results, supporting NUMC’s mission of early detection and health equity.

    Early detection of bone loss and osteoporosis is key to maintaining women’s long-term health. Bone density screening is standard care, especially for postmenopausal women, because it helps guide treatment for chronic conditions and improves quality of life.

    The donation will also fund a new Hologic Horizon Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) System, replacing an outdated model. The Horizon DXA uses low-dose X-rays to accurately measure bone mineral density, evaluate fracture risk and assess body composition, including fat and lean mass. The system’s high-resolution imaging and fast output is designed for precise, efficient and preventive diagnostic care, hospital officials said.

     


    Adina Genn

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