Special to MDN
As originally published by Mega Doctor News newsprint edition August 2019
Rocha is recognized for his work in expanding healthcare options for underserved communities in Queens, increasing patient revenue, improving clinical quality measures, increasing patient satisfaction, and securing funds for hospital expansions.
Israel Rocha, Chief Executive Officer of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst and OneCity Health, has been named one of Queens’ ‘Power 100’ by City & State New York for his work in expanding healthcare options for underserved communities in Queens, increasing patient revenue, improving clinical quality measures, increasing patient satisfaction, and securing funds for hospital expansions at one of the City’s most diverse healthcare facilities.
Rocha also oversees OneCity Health, the NYC Health + Hospitals-sponsored Performing Provider System, the largest in New York City. City & State New York’s “Power 100” lists recognize the most powerful people in the City, including elected officials, business owners, and advocates. Rocha is also a Vice President of NYC Health + Hospitals Corporation.
“This is a well-deserved recognition for Israel Rocha,” said Mitchell Katz, MD, President and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals. “He and his team at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst are dedicated to the health and well-being of all Queens residents.”
“Being recognized as one of City & State New York’s ‘Power 100’ in Queens is an incredible honor only made possible by the support and hard work of the NYC Health + Hospitals community, specifically the over 4,000 team members I have the privilege to work with at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst,” said Israel Rocha.
“It is a great pleasure to work for a public health system that serves one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse communities in the world. NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst’s dedicated providers are improving the health of our surrounding neighborhoods by providing high-quality medical services to the people of Queens. I look forward to continuing to expand the hospital’s reach into the community and to increase access to healthcare for all those who need it.”
“Congratulations to Israel Rocha for this richly deserved recognition,” said Assembly Health Committee Chair Richard N. Gottfried.
“This honor reflects his great work with NYC Health + Hospitals, expanding patient access and quality of care in Queens.”
“I can’t think of a more deserving recipient of this recognition than Israel Rocha,” said Assembly Member Catalina Cruz.
“Mr. Rocha is dedicated to the health and well-being of all of the members of our community, regardless of race, class, age, or documentation status. He has transformed NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst into an innovative and cutting-edge healthcare facility, all while focusing on and caring for the most vulnerable populations. Congratulations to Mr. Rocha, and I honor the continued partnership with NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst.”
“I applaud NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst CEO Israel Rocha on being named one of Queens’ ‘Power 100’ by City & State New York,” said NYC Council Member Daniel Dromm.
“NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst has grown by leaps and bounds thanks to Rocha’s hard work and dedication. He is the consummate professional and is committed to delivering quality care to every person who walks through the doors of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst. It has been a pleasure to work alongside him over the years to support the hospital’s transformative work.”
During his tenure as CEO at Elmhurst, Mr. Rocha has worked with Dr. Joseph Masci, one of the world’s leading infectious disease experts, to establish the Global Health Institute at Elmhurst, a research and clinical advocacy program that partners with organizations – including the United Nations – to address health disparities, pandemics, chronic conditions and environmental health factors at home and abroad.
Under Rocha’s leadership, Elmhurst has increased patient revenue by more than $50 million per year, improved clinical quality measures, increased patient satisfaction and secured funds to build a new emergency department, neurosciences center, and ambulatory surgical center.
Rocha also concurrently serves as Vice President for OneCity Health, a subsidiary of NYC Health + Hospitals focused on population health, care management, and implementation of the State’s Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) program. He has held this role since November 2017.
Before joining NYC Health + Hospitals, Rocha was the Chief Executive Officer of Doctors Hospital at Renaissance, a 513-bed facility in Edinburg, Texas, where he led key initiatives that helped the hospital transition from a general acute-care hospital into a comprehensive medical and teaching center. Earlier, he worked for 10 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. Mr. Rocha is a South Texas native and a graduate of Columbia University. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Academy Health, and the Physician Hospitals Association.
