Northwell enlists former Army doc, helicopter rescuer, as new CEO

In 2003, Dr. John D’Angelo reached out to Michael Dowling, CEO of Northwell, seeking support for a pay-gap initiative aimed at veterans moving from military to civilian medical careers.

“I was relatively unknown; I had only spent three years working there,” D’Angelo recounted to The Post about his time balancing duties at Glen Cove Hospital with his commitment as a reservist Army physician.

“In response, he promptly wrote back, stating, ‘Absolutely, we are moving forward with this.’ I was honored to be the inaugural beneficiary of this program. After I completed the leadership training, he approached me and suggested, ‘We want you to lead the emergency medicine division.’”

Now, after 23 years of leadership, Dowling has handed the reins over to D’Angelo, who will officially take on the role of CEO starting Wednesday.

“I am excited to be part of this new chapter,” said D’Angelo, praising Dowling, who immigrated from Ireland and worked various low-wage jobs, as “a leader worth following for reasons beyond his title.”

“Although we hail from different backgrounds and styles of leadership, we share a deep commitment to the mission behind our work,” explained D’Angelo, who moved to West Babylon from the West Bronx as a child among many siblings.

“That mission will remain unchanged,” D’Angelo stated from his new office at Northwell’s headquarters in New Hyde Park.

While Dowling advanced through public health management, D’Angelo’s journey in emergency medicine has been more hands-on, even airborne at times.

He embarked on his 25-year journey as a pivotal flight physician, utilizing helicopters during his residency at Geisinger Medical Center in Pennsylvania.

“There are countless moments where we’ve managed to bring people back from the brink of death,” he reflected, also expressing sorrow over the times when the outcomes were not favorable.

“Reflecting on these experiences keeps me grounded, reminding me of the significance of our work and the purpose we serve.”

Life on the Frontlines

Since those formative years, D’Angelo has worked aboard ambulances and, similar to his experience in helicopters, has helped save trauma patients in operating rooms before overseeing emergency medicine at Northwell.

Initially, D’Angelo considered a more conventional orthopedic surgery path but found himself captivated by the life-saving “detective work” of assessing incoming patients during emergencies.

“I gained considerable credibility early on. People began to see me as someone who consistently delivers results and addresses challenges effectively.”

“This credibility afforded me the opportunity to innovate and rethink our approaches,” he noted.

This trust allowed D’Angelo to collaborate with a tech-savvy team to develop “a comprehensive suite of real-time technological tools still utilized by the organization today,” he elaborated.

Having previously managed responses to hurricanes and the Ebola outbreak, D’Angelo served as an operations chief during the most challenging phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. He oversaw everything from testing and vaccination efforts to emergency operations for patients.

“That period was among the scariest yet most fulfilling in my career. The COVID crisis really showcased what health care leaders need to be prepared for in the future,” he remarked.

Now, D’Angelo’s objective is to solidify a new legacy for Northwell, with a critical focus on the integration of Connecticut’s Nuvance Health, which merged with Northwell in May.

“I anticipate significant progress in the upcoming year, which I believe is crucial,” he stated.

On his first day in his new role, D’Angelo intends to connect with all employees working tirelessly across Northwell’s diverse facilities.

“It is vital for me to hit the ground running and engage with our staff from day one,” he expressed. “I prefer to walk the floors, show appreciation, and field any questions… I am eagerly looking forward to it.”