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CRISTINA CONTRERAS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER - NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/METROPOLITAN
Born in the Dominican Republic, Cristina Contreras is a proven healthcare leader that is passionate about improving the health of the communities she serves. She is a highly driven and successful chief executive with over twenty-seven (27) years of progressive leadership experience in executive level management of inpatient, ambulatory, clinical and ancillary services hospital operations.
Cristina started her career as a caseworker, and successfully progressed through various positions of leadership with increasing responsibility, culminating with her appointment as Chief Executive Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan in East Harlem, in April 2021. During her tenure at NYC Health + Hospitals, she has successfully implemented a wide range of strategies to increase collaboration and engagement between staff, reduce costs, increase efficiencies, improve quality and enhance patient satisfaction.
Cristina holds a Bachelors in Social Work from Herbert H. Lehman College, a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Fordham University and a second Master’s Degree in Public Adminis- tration from Baruch College. In May 2023, Cristina was presented an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa, from the NY College of Podiatric Medicine.
In recognition of her service to the com- munity, Cristina has received numerous awards including the 33rd NYS Senate District Woman of Distinction by Senator Gustavo Rivera in 2022, and the Community Trailblazer Award by the Dominican Bar Asso- ciation. She currently serves as the Chair of the National Dominican Day Parade since April 2021, and is on the Board of Directors of R.A.I.N. Total Care, Inc., The Alzheimer’s Association Board of Directors and the National Association of Latino Healthcare Executives (NALHE) Tri-State Chapter (NY, NJ, and CT) Advisory Board.