NYC Health Leaders receive Joan H. Tisch Community Health Prize

In a significant acknowledgment of their exceptional contributions to urban public health, Helen Arteaga-Landaverde, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, and Dr. Ted Long, Senior Vice President of Ambulatory Care and Population Health, have been awarded the 11th Annual Joan H. Tisch Community Health Prize.

This honor, presented by the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund, celebrates their outstanding leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and their ongoing efforts to enhance healthcare equity in New York City.

Helen Arteaga-Landaverde and Dr. Ted Long played pivotal roles in steering NYC’s public health response during the pandemic. Their leadership in managing the city’s testing and vaccination programs was instrumental in controlling the virus’s spread and ensuring equitable access to healthcare services across diverse communities. Dr. Long’s efforts also extended to addressing the city’s asylum seeker crisis, establishing humanitarian centers that have welcomed over 150,000 new arrivals, providing critical medical and social services.

Helen Arteaga-Landaverde’s tenure at Elmhurst Hospital is marked by significant achievements, including the expansion of healthcare services and a robust fundraising drive that secured $72 million for vital capital projects. Her leadership has earned Elmhurst national recognition, including being ranked as one of U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Regional Hospitals” and receiving Health Equity certification from The Joint Commission.

Dr. Ted Long’s impact extends beyond the pandemic. Under his guidance, NYC Health + Hospitals has significantly reduced wait times for primary care appointments and expanded its patient base. His efforts have been crucial in eliminating a $1.8 billion structural deficit, with outpatient revenue increasing by $165 million from 2021 to 2022.

Mitchell Katz, MD, President and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals, lauded the honorees, stating, “Helen and Ted embody our mission to deliver equitable healthcare to all New Yorkers. Their unwavering leadership during the pandemic undoubtedly saved many lives and has made our public health system more resilient and equitable.”

Laurie M. Tisch, President of the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund, praised the winners, noting, “Their dedication and innovative leadership exemplify the spirit of this award. Congratulations to Helen and Ted; their achievements inspire continued progress in community health.”

Helen Arteaga-Landaverde expressed her gratitude, saying, “I am deeply honored to receive this award. This recognition motivates me to continue fighting for health equity and improving healthcare in our city.”

Dr. Ted Long shared his appreciation, stating, “I’m grateful for this honor and for the tireless efforts of my colleagues. I am driven by the opportunity to lead a mission-driven organization that champions the human right to dignified, comprehensive healthcare.”

The Joan H. Tisch Community Health Prize honors individuals and organizations for distinguished accomplishments in urban public health, made possible by support from the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund. The award pays tribute to Joan H. Tisch’s lifelong humanitarian activism in health care and social services in New York City. This year’s recipients include Helen Arteaga-Landaver