Nassau University Medical Center

Overview

The mission of Nassau University Medical Center is to provide comprehensive high-quality health care services to patients regardless of their ability to pay. It is organized as a New York state public-benefit corporation under the name, Nassau Health Care Corporation.

In December 2024, the hospital introduced a US$1.06 billion lawsuit against the State of New York, alleging the intentional withholding of federal funds intended for the hospital over the course of several years. This action originated from a posited state takeover from Nassau Interim Finance Authority.

In June 2025, Megan Ryan, then-CEO of Nassau University Medical Center, was fired for cause after allegedly authorizing $3.5 million in payments—at least $1 million of which were deemed excessive—to herself and 12 others, according to a letter from interim CEO Dr. Richard Becker. The payments were made just days before a new oversight board was set to take effect on June 1.

Organization

The Nassau Health Care Corporation is guided by an 11-member board of directors. In May 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Stuart Rabinowitz, who led Hofstra University for over 20 years, to lead the board as well as 3 additional appointees, Konstantinos “Dean” Mihaltses, Lisa Warren, and Amy Flores.

The corporation's management team is led by Dr Richard Becker as interim CEO. Korn Ferry will lead a search for a permanent CEO and general counsel. In 2016, it had operating expenses of $598 million, an outstanding debt of $256 million, and a staffing level of 4,180 people.

History

Meadowbrook Hospital opened on July 15, 1935, in East Meadow as a 200-bed county-owned general hospital. In the 1970s, the hospital's 19-story Dynamic Care Building, designed by Max O. Urbahn, was constructed, opening in 1974.

The hospital's name was changed in 1970 to the Nassau County Medical Center. This caused confusion with Nassau Hospital in Mineola, New York, which a decade later changed its name to Winthrop-University Hospital. The center's name changed again in December 2000, as part of its transition from county-owned hospital to public-benefit corporation, to Nassau University Medical Center to emphasize its affiliation with Stony Brook University's Health Sciences Center.

Dynamic Care Building

Opening in 1974 and at 299 feet, NUMC's Dynamic Care Building remains the tallest inhabitable building in Nassau County. The facility includes:

• one- and two-bed patient rooms with private bathrooms
• physical and rehabilitation center
• 12 operating room suites
• 300-seat auditorium
• two-level Health Sciences Library
• helicopter landing pad
• interfaith chapel
• The Nassau County Firefighters' Burn Center
• the only multiplace hyperbaric chamber on Long Island, with a team on call 24/7 for diving, carbon monoxide poisoning, and all hyperbaric-related emergencies

Patient care

More than 80,000 people annually are treated in the emergency room and 178,000 in its more than 85 specialty clinics. It is accredited by the Commission on Cancer for Teaching Hospital Cancer Programs and is a designated AIDS Center. Its staff totals more than 3,500.

References

References

1. "Board of Directors".
2. Grasso, Nicholas. (2025-06-20). "NUMC terminates former CEO Megan Ryan for cause, according to letter".
3. "Nassau University Medical Center - East Meadow, NY - NuHealth".
4. (November 11, 2018). "List of New York State Public Benefit Corporations".
5. Devine, Miranda. (December 19, 2024). "NY Gov. Kathy Hochul's alleged hospital hoodwink in Nassau County". New York Post.
6. Grasso, Nicholas. (2025-06-20). "NUMC terminates former CEO Megan Ryan for cause, according to letter".
7. "Governor Hochul Announces State Legislature-Recommended Appointments to Nassau Health Care Corporation Board {{!}} Governor Kathy Hochul".
8. Harris, Chris. (2025-05-31). "Kathy Hochul taps new board of directors for NY's NUMC hospital".
9. (2025-06-11). "New NUMC board replaces Ryan as CEO with Northwell exec, NIFA enacts control period".
10. "NYSABO 2018 Report".
11. (October 3, 1970). "Hospital Gained, Dems Too". [[Newsday]].
12. "Our History - NUMC".
13. Durkin, Barbara J.. (December 7, 2000). "New Name, New Attitude". Newsday.