(Long Island, NY) Calvin O. Butts, III, president of the State University of New York at Old Westbury, has announced that Michael J. Dowling, president and chief executive officer of Northwell Health, will address the Class of 2016during the two ceremonies that comprise the College’s 50th Commencement, to be held on May 22, 2016.
Michael J. Dowling. Photo Credit: Northwell Health.
“I am pleased and excited to have as our speaker the leader of a team of 54,000 employees who are focused each day on securing the health and well-being of those who live and work in our community and communities across our state,” said Dr. Butts. “Mr. Dowling is a national leader on critical issues in the health care and human service arena and is widely recognized for his professionalism and commitment to serving others. I look forward to hearing the advice and insight he will provide to the Class of 2016.”
Approximately 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students are expected to participate in the commencement ceremonies. Graduates of programs in the School of Arts and Sciences will process at 9 a.m., while graduates of the School of Business and School of Education will process at 3 p.m. Both programs will take place on the College’s Panther Park Athletic Field.
As the leader of the largest integrated healthcare system in New York State, Mr. Dowling guides Northwell as it seeks to deliver world-class clinical care throughout the New York metropolitan area; pioneering research at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research; a visionary approach to medical education; and healthcare coverage to individuals, families and businesses through the CareConnect Insurance Co., Inc.
Prior to becoming president and CEO in 2002, Mr. Dowling was the health system’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. Before joining NorthwellHealth in 1995, he was a senior vice president at Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Mr. Dowling also served in New York State government for 12 years, including seven years as state director of Health, Education and Human Services and deputy secretary to the governor. He was also commissioner of the New York State Department of Social Services. Before his public service career, Mr. Dowling was a professor of social policy and assistant dean at the Fordham University Graduate School of Social Services, and director of the Fordham campus in Westchester County.
Mr. Dowling has been honored with many awards over the years. They include: the 2012 B’nai B’rith National Healthcare Award, the 2011 Gail L. Warden Leadership Excellence Award from the National Center for Healthcare Leadership, the National Human Relations Award from the American Jewish Committee, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Public Service Award from the State University of New York’s Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, and an Outstanding Public Service Award from both the Mental Health Association of New York State and the Mental Health Association of Nassau County.
Mr. Dowling is a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, serves as a board member of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, and as a board member and Fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine. He is also past chairman and current board member of the National Center for Healthcare Leadership, the Greater New York Hospital Association, the Healthcare Association of New York State and the League of Voluntary Hospitals of New York.
SUNY Old Westbury is a selective public liberal arts college with more than 4,400 students studying in more than 40 undergraduate degree opportunities in its liberal arts and professional programs and 16 graduate programs in business, education, liberal studies and mental health counseling. On the College’s 604-acre campus, students are challenged to take ownership of their futures through an environment that demands academic excellence, fosters intercultural understanding, and endeavors to stimulate a passion for learning and a commitment to building a more just and sustainable world. For more information on SUNY Old Westbury, visit www.oldwestbury.edu.
