Michael Dowling Resigns as CEO of Northwell Health

By Thomas Nothel

Michael Dowling has resigned as president and CEO of Northwell Health Systems, the company announced on Wednesday, May 14th. He spent more than 23 years Northwell Health Systems.

Dowling was hired in 2002 as president and CEO by Northwell. He had been previously working as a senior vice president at Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield since 1995.

He will step down effective October 1, 2025 and transition to the role of “CEO Emeritus.”  Northwell stated he will serve in an advisory capacity, and will support the advancement of key public health initiatives and focus on teaching and writing.

Under Dowling, Northwell grew into one of the top 10 largest health systems in the country. The Health care system includes a thousand outpatient facilities, 28 hospitals across New York and Connecticut, over 100,000 employees and more than 14,000 affiliated physicians. Northwell is now the largest private employer and Health care provider in New York State.

Dowling grew up in Knockaderry, County Limerick, Ireland. He is a graduate of University College Cork, and earned a Master’s Degree from Fordham University.

In 2017, Dowling was named the Grand Marshal of the NYC Saint Patrick's Day Parade.

Northwell announced that after an extensive nationwide search, Northwell’s Executive vice president Dr. John D'Angelo was chosen to replace Dowling. D'Angelo began his 25-year career at Northwell as an ER physician at Glen Cove Hospital before rising to lead part of its health system.

“I am humbled and honored to be selected to succeed Michael Dowling as Northwell President and CEO,” stated D’Angelo. “Health care is a calling. Every minute of every day, we have an opportunity to change someone’s life for the better.”

"I look forward to leading our more than 100,000 team members who contribute to this critically important mission — advancing better health for all,” added D’Angelo. “And I am committed to build on his [Michael Dowling’s] unparalleled legacy and vision that grew Northwell from a Long Island-based health system into a regional and national health care leader."

“Michael Dowling exemplifies the American Dream. From his humble beginnings in a thatched cottage in Ireland, he has, over the course of 30 years, transformed a single institution—North Shore University Hospital—into one of the nation’s largest, most integrated, and most highly regarded health systems,” stated US Congressman Thomas Suozzi (D-Glen Cove). “His legacy is both a visionary leader, a man of great compassion and a grounded, approachable figure will be profoundly missed."

Suozzi added a personal Irish salute to Dowling: “To my esteemed friend and colleague: May your troubles be less and your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door.”