Michael Dowling to Step Down After Two-Decade Run as Northwell Health CEO, Paving Way for Successor John D’Angelo

By: Jerome Brookshire

After more than two decades at the helm of New York’s largest healthcare provider, Northwell Health President and CEO Michael Dowling will officially step down in October, bringing to a close one of the most transformative tenures in American health care. As reported by The New York Post on Thursday, Dowling’s departure marks the end of an era in which a modest network of Long Island hospitals was reshaped into one of the most expansive and innovative healthcare systems in the United States.

Dowling, who took over as CEO in 2002, will assume the honorary title of CEO emeritus and will continue advising Northwell on public health policy and education. “It has been an extraordinary privilege to lead Northwell through a period of unprecedented growth and clinical transformation,” Dowling said in a statement quoted by The New York Post. “We’ve made a meaningful difference in the lives of tens of millions of patients and families over the last 25 years.”

During his leadership, Dowling guided Northwell Health through a stunning evolution—from a local provider to a vast, integrated system encompassing over 1,000 facilities and 28 hospitals across New York and Connecticut. The institution now employs more than 100,000 individuals and collaborates with over 14,000 physicians. As The New York Post report noted, this remarkable growth positioned Northwell not just as a regional powerhouse, but as a national model for innovative, community-focused healthcare.

Dowling’s legacy is deeply intertwined with Northwell’s rise as a leader in public health, education, and research. He spearheaded the system’s expansion into new frontiers of medicine, notably establishing Northwell as a national leader in the emerging field of bioelectronic medicine—where devices are used to treat chronic illnesses through nerve stimulation.

Perhaps one of Dowling’s most significant contributions was his outspoken leadership on gun violence as a public health issue. In 2022, Modern Healthcare named him the most influential figure in the American healthcare sector after he launched a bold initiative that rallied more than 60 CEOs to support legislation and public awareness around gun violence prevention. The New York Post report highlighted how this movement elevated Northwell’s reputation as an advocate for broader societal health issues beyond the clinical setting.

Dowling also oversaw sweeping enhancements in Northwell’s medical education programs, including partnerships with major academic institutions and expanded training programs for physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals. His strategic vision emphasized not only access to healthcare but quality and equity in service delivery, particularly in underserved communities.

In a unanimous vote, Northwell’s board of trustees selected longtime executive and physician Dr. John D’Angelo to succeed Dowling as CEO. As The New York Post reported, D’Angelo has had a 25-year career at Northwell, beginning as an emergency room physician at Glen Cove Hospital before ascending to key leadership roles within the organization.

“Health care is a calling. Every minute of every day, we have an opportunity to change someone’s life for the better,” D’Angelo said in a statement issued upon the announcement of his appointment. “I look forward to leading our more than 100,000 team members who contribute to this critically important mission—advancing better health for all.”

Dowling himself offered strong praise for his successor, describing D’Angelo as a “tremendous leader who will lead Northwell to greater heights.” The New York Post report said that he expressed confidence that D’Angelo will “raise the bar on the quality of care” and help the system adapt to the rapidly changing healthcare environment.

D’Angelo inherits a system that has been lauded for its response to COVID-19, its investment in cutting-edge research, and its deep community ties—but also one that, like many healthcare providers, faces mounting challenges. Rising costs, workforce burnout, and the increasing complexity of healthcare delivery will test the new CEO’s leadership in the coming years.

Yet, according to The New York Post report, Northwell’s board believes D’Angelo’s clinical background, coupled with his deep institutional knowledge, positions him to steer the organization through these obstacles while building on Dowling’s legacy.

Tributes to Dowling poured in from across the healthcare and political spectrum. Healthcare executives credited him with modernizing and expanding access to care, while public officials praised his willingness to take bold positions on complex issues such as gun violence, health equity, and pandemic readiness.

The report in the New York Post noted that under Dowling’s guidance, Northwell’s public engagement grew substantially. He was a frequent commentator on national health policy, testified before Congress on emergency preparedness, and served as a key advisor to local and state governments during the COVID-19 crisis.

His commitment to addressing social determinants of health—such as housing, food insecurity, and education—also set Northwell apart from more traditional hospital systems. Dowling helped redefine what it meant to be a “health system” by insisting that health extends beyond the walls of the hospital and into the fabric of everyday life.

Born in Limerick, Ireland, Michael Dowling’s journey to the top of one of America’s largest health systems is itself a testament to his resilience and vision. Before entering healthcare administration, he served as a senior official in New York State government, including as Director of Health, Education and Human Services under then-Governor Mario Cuomo.

Dowling’s leadership style combined boldness with pragmatism. According to the New York Post report, he was not afraid to tackle controversial issues, but he always kept patient care at the center of his decisions. That combination has made him one of the most respected figures in healthcare, both in New York and nationwide.

While his official tenure may be drawing to a close, Dowling’s influence on Northwell Health—and the American healthcare landscape at large—will be felt for years to come. As he transitions into his new advisory role, the health system he built stands ready for its next chapter under John D’Angelo, poised to meet the evolving demands of 21st-century medicine with the same spirit of innovation and compassion that has defined Dowling’s historic leadership.