Mr. Dowling, CEO Emeritus of Northwell Health, stepped down in October 2025 after a 23-year tenure as Northwell’s first president and CEO. Mr. Dowling transformed Northwell into New York’s largest private employer and healthcare provider, renowned for its innovation, social responsibility and commitment to tackling complex public health issues. Northwell includes 28 hospitals in New York and Connecticut, employing 104,000 individuals, with over 14,000 affiliated physicians and 1,000 care locations. With Mr. Dowling at the helm, Northwell launched the Zucker School of Medicine, the Hofstra-Northwell School of Nursing and the Center for Learning and Innovation, all institutions redefining medical and nursing education through experiential learning and leadership development. He is also known for investing in employee innovation, with $1.3 million invested across three employee-led projects in 2025. Prior to joining Northwell in 1995 as COO of North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y., he took on senior roles in health insurance administration and worked under Governor Mario Cuomo, with oversight of healthcare initiatives for New York State. Named a 2025 “TIME100 Health Titan” by Time Magazine, Mr. Dowling has championed bold initiatives addressing gun violence, health equity, climate change and mental health. Now serving in an advisory capacity at Northwell, Mr. Dowling continues to teach, write and advance key public health initiatives, including national gun violence prevention efforts and expanded mental health access. A prolific author and thought leader, his numerous books, articles and lectures challenge healthcare leaders to confront social crises with courage, humanity and vision.
