Kevin Dahill, president and CEO of the Nassau-Suffolk HospitalCouncil, today also took the helm at a second, similar organizationrepresenting 30 Hudson Valley hospitals.
Dahill became the leader of the Northern Metropolitan HospitalAssociation or NorMet, based in Newburgh, in addition to hisposition at the helm of a group representing 24 Long Islandhospitals.
He replaces Neil Abitabilo, who retired after 25 years at thegroup which represents 30 hospitals in seven counties, includingWestchester.
The Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council in a written statement saidthe groups 'share common health/hospital policy concerns related tosuburban areas.'
The two groups, which together represent 54 hospitals, for fiveyears have collaborated through an alliance known as the SuburbanHealth Care Alliance.
Dahill also will now represent hospitals in Orange, Putnam,Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, Dutchess, and Westchester counties,giving suburban New York City hospitals a single voice.
He will represent Good Samaritan hospitals in West Islip andRockland counties and St. Francis in Roslyn and Dutchess counties.
Although it's conceivable the regions would face differentissues, Dahill told LIBN the dual roles should be good for LongIsland, even if he might divide his time between the two regions.
'From an advocacy point of view,' Dahill said, 'we'll have astronger voice.'
He said he would divide his time between the two regions, relyingin part on a 'good staff at both regional offices who can handle thefront lines very well.'
'We consciously decided not to merge the two organizations,' hesaid. 'But we can find ways to complement each other.'
Douglas Melzer, CEO of Long Beach Medical Center and chairman ofthe Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Counci, called the dual role a'strategically sound and welcome move.'
'He will provide unified leadership that will move hospitals inthese two suburban regions to even more effective advocacy andcollaboration,' Melzer said.
Dahill in a statement said the two groups face similar issues assuburban hospitals, creating an opportunity for more cooperation.
'Hospitals in regions like Long Island and the Hudson Valley facedifferent challenges than our urban and rural counterparts, not onlyin terms of reimbursement structures, but because ofdisproportionately higher labor, energy, and supply costs,' he saidin a written statement.
The decision was approved by the boards of both groups. Dahilltoday was in the NorMet region, meeting with members of hospitals inthat area.
'It was kind of a natural progression or linkage,' said JanineLogan, a spokeswoman for the Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council.
Both groups are part of the Healthcare Association of New YorkState, although each maintains its own board of directors.
Hospital Association of New York State President Daniel Sistosaid the former NorMet leader found common ground 'with hospitals onLong Island to promote suburban interests in Albany and Washington,D.C.'
Dahill has a long history of involvement in the region covered byNorMet, even leading a hospital in that region. Before taking thehelm at NSHC in 2002, he was the president of New York UnitedHospital in Port Chester, a member of NorMet. New York United closedon Feb. 8, 2005 after claiming bankruptcy in 2004.
He previously held numerous administrative positions at ColumbiaPresbyterian Medical Center in New York City, before leaving assenior vice president and general manager in 1994.
Danill said the two groups he now leads would 'share the expenseof one CEO,' that he would not simply be taking the two salariesthat had been paid for separate leaders and that he would look atways to save money for both groups.
Dahill's new compensation wasn't clear as of today, but hereceived nearly $300,000 according to the 2008 tax returns filed bythe Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council.
Abatibilo earned about $257,000 in total compensation for thesame year, according to income tax returns.
