About Cristina

Cristina's Story

Cristina Contreras, the CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, exemplifies leadership with a career spanning nearly three decades in healthcare management. With degrees in Social Work and Public Administration, alongside an honorary doctorate, Cristina’s expertise bridges clinical proficiency with strategic acumen, driving unparalleled improvements in patient care, staff satisfaction, and operational efficiencies. Cristina’s journey from a dedicated caseworker to a visionary healthcare executive reflects her commitment to service, innovation, and excellence. 

Broadening Impact: Beyond Healthcare

Cristina Contreras, LMSW, MPA, FABC, is a healthcare leader with a remarkable history of transforming medical institutions in the United States. As the Chief Executive Officer of NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, Cristina is optimizing and transforming the Bronx facility to address the complex healthcare needs of its community. Her commitment to improving patient care, staff engagement, and operational efficiency makes her a trusted leader in public healthcare.

Previously, as CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan, Cristina significantly improved hospital operations and outcomes, strengthening the facility’s reputation as a trusted provider for East Harlem. Her leadership elevated patient satisfaction, reduced readmission rates, and enhanced staff and physician retention, all while improving financial performance.

Cristina’s academic achievements include a BSW from Herbert H. Lehman College, an MSW from Fordham University, an MPA from Baruch College, and an honorary doctorate from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. This diverse educational foundation supports her ability to address healthcare challenges with a balanced perspective.

Key Initiatives and Contributions

  • Community Health Advocacy: Cristina has been a strong advocate for cultural promotion and the professional advancement of the Dominican diaspora in both the U.S. and the Dominican Republic. Her work continues to inspire and drive significant changes in the integration and recognition of Dominicans across both nations.

  • Healthcare and Social Justice for Seniors: Cristina has made significant contributions to improving public health access and social justice for elderly populations through her involvement with R.A.I.N. Total Care and the Alzheimer’s Association. Her initiatives have raised awareness and provided critical support for Alzheimer’s care within the Dominican and broader communities.

  • Community Education Workshops: Cristina has organized numerous workshops to empower individuals with knowledge to improve civic engagement and community bonds. Notable workshops include:

    • Investments and Retirement Information (2024)
    • Housing Rights for Owners and Renters (2023)
    • Fourth Amendment Rights (2023)
    • Digital Business Modernization (2022)

  • Cultural Recognition and Mentorship: Cristina has highlighted Dominican icons and facilitated mentorship programs, including internships with leading corporations, offering participants professional growth opportunities.

  • Support for Small Businesses: Through NatDDP and community events, Cristina has created platforms for small businesses to gain exposure and connect with key stakeholders, fostering economic growth for the Dominican community in the U.S.

  • Broadcast Expansion: For the first time, Cristina expanded NatDDP’s reach with a broadcast in English on PIX11, sharing Dominican culture with a wider audience and increasing community visibility.

Media Highlights

Cristina’s impactful leadership and dedication to community progress have been featured by prominent media outlets, including:

  • ABC News: Recognized as a trailblazer in the Dominican community during Women’s History Month.
  • El Diario NY: Celebrated as a “Mujer Destacada (2024)” and for her role in strengthening community ties.
  • iHeartMedia: Showcased as an inspirational figure during Hispanic Heritage Month, highlighting her work in healthcare and cultural empowerment. (2024)
  • Bronx Times:  Power Bronx Woman reflects on life (2020)

Awards and Recognition

Her exceptional leadership has earned numerous awards, including:

  • City & State NY: Manhattan Power 100 (2022, 2023, 2024)
  • Banreservas: Dominicanas de Voluntad en la Diáspora (2024)
  • Dominican Bar Association: Community Trailblazer Award (2024)
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Cristina’s efforts extend to supporting Dominican foundations that provide resources for orphaned children and clinics in the Dominican Republic, bridging humanitarian efforts across borders.

Her leadership at Lincoln continues to embody her unwavering dedication to healthcare improvement, cultural empowerment, and community progress. Cristina Contreras is a shining example of how commitment and leadership drive meaningful change, inspiring both her team and the communities she serves.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln – Bronx, NY
Chief Executive Officer
August 2024 – Present

  • Lead a 362-bed facility with over 600,000 clinic visits, 168,000 ER visits, and 1,509 births annually.
  • Optimize patient outcomes and staff engagement while addressing the Bronx’s unique healthcare challenges.

NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan – New York, NY
Chief Executive Officer
April 2021 – August 2024

  • Managed a 338-bed facility, overseeing nearly 400,000 outpatient visits annually.
  • Improved patient safety and satisfaction, earning recognition as a Gold Safe Sleep Hospital.
  • Secured $4M in funding for critical patient care equipment.

NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx – Bronx, NY
Held progressive leadership roles, including:

  • Chief Strategy Officer (2020–2021)
  • Executive Director (2018–2020)
  • Chief Operating Officer (2016–2018)
  • Associate Executive Director – Operations (2011–2016)

Key Achievements:

  • Designed and implemented strategic and operational plans that improved efficiency and reduced costs by over $3.7M.
  • Successfully led The Joint Commission survey with recognized best practices.
  • Developed patient safety initiatives, increasing reporting by 500%.

NYC Health + Hospitals/Coney Island – Brooklyn, NY
Held roles including Associate Director and Women & Children’s Health Social Work Supervisor.
1995 – 2008

EDUCATION

  • Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) – Baruch College, 2008
  • Master’s in Social Work (MSW) – Fordham University, 2001
  • Bachelor of Arts in Social Work – Herbert H. Lehman College, 1995

Throughout her illustrious career, Cristina has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors, reflecting her impact on healthcare and the community:

  • Bronx Power 100 List:  2025 presented by Schneps Media, recognizes the most influential individuals in the region. 
  • Manhattan Power 100 List: Featured in 2022 and 2023 for her influential role in New York’s healthcare landscape.
  • Power Woman of Manhattan: Recognized by Schneps Media for her leadership and contribution to healthcare.
  • Healthcare Leadership Award: Received from 100 Hispanic Women National, celebrating her service and dedication.
  • Hero of Hope and Champion of Inclusion: Honored by the NYC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for her commitment to inclusivity and hope.
  • Community Trailblazer Award: Awarded by the Dominican Bar Association, acknowledging her pioneering efforts in community health.

Cristina’s journey and accomplishments exemplify a lifetime commitment to healthcare excellence, leadership, and community service. Her work continues to inspire and impact the lives of many across New York and beyond.

Under Cristina’s leadership, NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan:
  • Achieved substantial year-to-year growth, with increases of 3% in Ambulatory Care visits, 6% in Emergency Department visits, 9% in Operating Room volume, and 10% in patient discharges. Improved financial health with a $34 million net budget variance, reversing a deficit into a surplus and exceeding budget expectations from January 2023 to January 2024.
  • Advanced patient care through technological innovations, including the implementation of Patient Secure Palm scanning across registration areas, and the introduction of minimally invasive robotic surgeries in gynecology, urology, bariatric, and general surgery, significantly improving surgical outcomes and patient recovery times. Recognized with awards such as the Baby-Friendly Hospital designation by Baby-Friendly USA and the Gold Safe Sleep Hospital from the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program, affirming commitment to best practices in maternal and infant care.
  • Led the initiative to offer gender-affirming surgeries, completing the 200th procedure and establishing the hospital as a leader in inclusive care. Championed diversity and inclusivity, earning recognition as the most racially inclusive hospital in New York State for three consecutive years, and accolades from the American Heart Association for excellence in stroke and heart failure management.

Quality & Safety

  • Re-designated as a Baby-Friendly Hospital by Baby-Friendly USA, a WHO and UNICEF initiative.
  • Recognized as a “Gold Safe Sleep Hospital” by the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program.
  • Achieved American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines awards for Stroke and Heart Failure programs.
  • NICU received Gold Beacon Award for Excellence, the only NICU in NYC with this designation.
  • Earned CDC Full Recognition for Diabetes Prevention Program.
  • Launched minimally invasive robotic surgery programs using the Da Vinci Xi system.

Access to Care

  • Transformed ambulatory care by improving provider continuity, patient-centered scheduling, and clinic efficiency.
  • One of the first public hospitals in the U.S. to offer gender-affirming surgery, completing the 200th procedure in 2024.
  • Ranked as the most racially inclusive hospital in NY State by the Lown Institute for three consecutive years.
  • Introduced Patient Secure palm scanners for efficient, paperless patient registration, enhancing satisfaction and reducing wait times.
  • Designated as the System’s official Acute Rehab Center to decompress other facilities.

Financial Sustainability

  • Clinic Visits: 3% growth in ambulatory care volume year-over-year (2023–2024).
  • Operating Room Volume: 9% growth year-over-year.
  • Emergency Department Visits: 6% growth year-over-year.
  • Achieved a $34M net budget variance improvement, exceeding fiscal year budget projections.
  • Improved revenue cycle performance, achieving a $11M increase in revenue and reducing candidate-for-billing days by 14%.
  • Achieved a 5-star rating in Expense Star Report, moving from last to first in the System.
  • Approved new business plans for growth in plastic surgery services.

Care Experience

  • Recruited a Chief Experience Officer to lead hospital-wide culture transformation towards patient-centered care.
  • Re-established the Patient Family Advisory Council to align hospital strategies with patient priorities.
  • Created a Care Experience Steering Committee to facilitate front-line staff and leadership collaboration.
  • Introduced CXO and Nursing Leadership I-Rounding to improve real-time patient-caregiver relationships.

Culture of Safety

  • Reestablished the Facility-Based Collaboration Council to enhance communication between doctors and administration.
  • Initiated construction of a new Employee Wellness Center to promote staff well-being.
  • Redesigned daily safety huddles for real-time reporting and resolution of safety concerns.
  • Enhanced compliance with The Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals (NPSG) to address health equity.

Cristina Contreras’s leadership at Metropolitan has significantly improved quality, safety, financial performance, and patient satisfaction while setting new benchmarks for inclusive and innovative healthcare practices.

 
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