NYC REACH

Supporting and promoting primary care and prevention

ABOUT US

NYC REACH assists New York City-based independently owned private practices, community health centers, and hospital ambulatory-based sites with adopting and implementing health information systems, quality improvement, and practice transformation initiatives.

NYC REACH partners with organizations and physicians throughout New York City to:

SUPPORT

Support New York City’s health goals around prevention and primary care

CONNECT

Facilitate connections between communities and clinical resources

EDUCATE

Educate on the adoption and use of information systems

IMPROVE

Adapt data and health information to facilitate improvements in patient care and healthcare

TRANSLATE

Translate federal, state, and local policies and programs into actions (i.e. Meaningful Use, Patient-Centered Medical Home)

New York City Regional Electronic Adoption Center for Health (NYC REACH) is New York City’s Regional Extension Center, a designation of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.

NYC REACH is operated by the Bureau of Equitable Health Systems (BEHS), a bureau of the Center for Health Equity and Community Wellness division at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. BEHS envisions a New York where the healthcare system delivers high quality, coordinated care through the effective use of technology, data, and scientific evidence. BEHS strengthens the healthcare system through advocacy, technology, data, evidence-based guidelines and payment reform to prevent and mitigate the burden of chronic disease.

NYC REACH, primarily funded by state and federal contracts and grants, is staffed with trained and experienced practice facilitators who provide direct technical assistance to practices. NYC REACH is guided by an advisory council of physicians from a variety of healthcare institutions across New York City.

Membership

Interested in joining? Joining is easy!

NYC REACH membership is free to all New York City providers and practices. Membership gives you access to Meaningful use education, assistance with vendor selection, an online resource library, bi-weekly email digests related to Meaningful Use deadlines and related news.

MEET OUR TEAM

Sarah Shih, MPH

Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Equitable Health Systems

Sarah Shih currently serves as the Assistant Commissioner for the Bureau of Equitable Health Systems. She leads the bureau in initiatives in New York City to engage primary care settings in using health information technology to improve the delivery of clinical preventive services. She has assisted in bringing in over 50 million dollars in federal, state, and private grants to facilitate the adoption and use of health information systems and transformation of primary care. Sarah Shih received her MPH in epidemiology and biostatistics from the Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine.

Hang Pham-Singer, PharmD

Executive Director, Quality Improvement

Hang Pham-Singer serves as the Executive Director of Quality Improvement for the Bureau of Equitable Health Systems. She oversees the Patient Engagement, Quality Improvement, Strategy, Program Operations, and Communications and External Relations teams. These teams are transforming health care delivery in New York City by providing technical assistance and educational resources to small practices, health systems, community-based organizations, community health centers, and pharmacies. Hang received her PharmD from Nova Southeastern University.

Janice Magno, MPA

Director, Strategy

Janice Magno serves as the Director of Strategy for the Bureau of Equitable Health Systems. She leads a portfolio of practice transformation initiatives aimed at strengthening the primary care delivery system. She manages a team that provides technical assistance to practices in medical home transformation and preparation for value-based payment. She also oversees BEHS’ collaboration with payers, accountable care organizations, qualified entities, government agencies, and other partners. Janice received her MPA in health policy and management from New York University’s Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.

Viral Shah, MSc

Assistant Director, Healthcare Informatics

Viral Shah serves as the Assistant Director of Healthcare Informatics for the Bureau of Equitable Health Systems. He leads a team that evaluates and develops new healthcare information technologies to measure and improve clinical and population health outcomes. His team uses electronic health records, health information exchanges, and large population health datasets to assess and redesign healthcare processes in support of quality improvement and practice transformation programs. Viral received his MSc in computer science from Middlesex University London.

Samantha De Leon, PhD

Director, Program Evaluation, Research and Analysis

Samantha De Leon serves as the Director of Program Evaluation at the Bureau of Equitable Health Systems. She is responsible for managing the Evaluation, Research and Analytics team that conducts program evaluation and research on the impact of health information technology, quality improvement incentives and activities on patient quality of care in the primary care setting across New York City. Samantha and her team use a variety of data sources including electronic health records data, Medicaid and ambulatory clearinghouse claims, surveys, and primary data collected through various program initiatives. She received her PhD in epidemiology/environmental medicine from New York University School of Medicine.

Ernesto Fana, MPA

Director, Quality Improvement

Ernesto Fana serves as the Director of Quality Improvement at the Bureau of Equitable Health Systems. He oversees efforts to engage and support community providers with their quality improvement goals. His team provides technical assistance with electronic health record optimization and facilitates changes to patient care workflows, using small, rapid cycles of change to achieve clear objectives. Ernesto’s team also works with over 400 select practices on targeted quality improvement initiatives that focus on diabetes, hypertension, and smoking cessation. He received his MPA in Public Affairs and Administration from Metropolitan College of New York.

Jill Linnell, MPH

Senior Manager, Patient Engagement Programs

Jill Linnell serves as the Senior Manager of Patient Engagement Programs for the Bureau of Equitable Health Systems. She leads initiatives to connect clinical and community organizations – and their patients and clients – to evidence-based chronic disease prevention and management programs that address premature mortality, racial inequities, and quality of life related to diabetes, hypertension, and maternal morbidity. Jill’s team offers training and technical assistance for organizations, supports primary care providers with referrals, and provides direct self-management support for patients with diabetes. Jill received her MPH from Columbia University.

Emily Carroll, MPH

Senior Manager, Communications and External Relations

Emily Carroll serves as the Senior Manager of Communications and External Relations for the Bureau of Equitable Health Systems. Her team specializes in creating and disseminating content, hosting events and trainings, and outreach to clinicians who are eligible to join quality improvement and value-based payment programs. She is responsible for developing strategic communications, outreach, and engagement plans to meet programmatic goals. Emily received her MPH in health policy and management at CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy.

Winfred Wu, MD, MPH

Medical Officer, Preventive Medicine

Winfred Wu serves as the Medical Officer, Preventive Medicine at the Bureau of Equitable Health Systems. He leads population health surveillance efforts, including oversight of the New York City Hemoglobin A1C Registry. In addition, he supports the development and implementation of prevention-oriented programs focused on chronic disease. Winfred received his MD from Robert Wood Johnson Medical School – Rutgers University and his MPH from Columbia University.

Pamela Anderson, PHR

Senior Manager, Administration

Pamela Anderson serves as the Senior Manager of Administration, overseeing the administration team at the Bureau of Equitable Health Systems. She is responsible for the coordination, administration and delivery of human resource services and support to bureau staff. Pamela received her bachelor’s degree in business administration and human resources from York College. Pamela also holds PHR (Professional in Human Resources) certification.

ACHIEVEMENTS

26000

Healthcare professionals that have joined NYC REACH

Patients impacted by NYC REACH practices

465M

In incentive payments ($) awarded to NYC providers

Since its inception in 2010, the New York City Regional Electronic Adoption Center for Health (NYC REACH) has strived to help providers fully utilize Health Information Technology. Through 2019, 26,000 providers in New York City have joined NYC REACH. NYC REACH has helped community health centers, foster care agencies, hospitals, and small practices receive over $465 million in incentive payments paid through multiple initiatives.

CAREERS

NYC REACH is operated by the Bureau of Equitable Health Systems (BEHS), a bureau of the Center for Health Equity and Community Wellness division at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. BEHS’ mission is to advance population health through supporting and promoting high quality primary care and prevention. BEHS assists medical practices to use EHRs and other forms of health information technology (HIT) to increase the delivery of evidence-based preventative care services, such as blood pressure control and cancer screenings, and to track chronic disease risk factors and disease management.

Join a team that encourages creativity and collaboration! We’re looking for talented individuals who are passionate about improving the health of New Yorkers. Through BEHS’ partnership with the Fund for Public Health in New York City (FPHNYC), a not-for-profit organization that collaborates with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to implement and advance public health initiatives, we have exciting opportunities available. To find out about BEHS positions at FPHNYC, please visit http://www.fphnyc.org/get-involved/joinourteam/ and review the positions listed under “Equitable Health Systems.”

PHYSICIAN ADVISORY COUNCIL

The Physician Advisory Council is a group of providers who provide input on the Bureau of Equitable Health System’s many projects, programs, and services. The council consists of members representing small and large practices all throughout New York City and assists BEHS with understanding the healthcare landscape of the City.

Arthur Abelow

NY Associates in Gastroenterology

Teresa Chan

Lower East Side Family Medicine

Isak Isakov

Isak Isakov Medical, PC

Gerald Weber

Murray Hill Podiatric Associates

Kathleen McCabe

Select Medicine, PC

Maxine Orris

Community Health Empowerment/Orris, MD, PLLC

Kevin Norowitz

Kevin B Norowitz MD FAAP

Jose Goris

Jose A Goris, MD, PC

Jeffrey Teitelbaum

Jeffrey L. Teitelbaum MD PC

Avi Bitton

M. Avi Bitton, MD, PC

Edgar Flores-Castillo

Edgar Flores-Castillo, MD, PC

Lewis Marshall

Lewis W. Marshall Jr MD, PC

Alexander McMeeking

Chelsea Village Medical

Michael Richter

Michael Richter, MD

Hylton Lightman

Total Family Care of the 5 Towns and Rockaway PC

Qudsia Banu

Brookdale Family Care Center

Regina Olasin

Care for the Homeless

Arturo Caesar

Sr. Arturo A. Caesar, MD, PC

Patricia Hart

Patricia M. Hart, MD

Saulius Skeivys

Woodside Family Health Center

Frank Maselli

Riverdale Family Practice

Robert Morrow

Robert W. Morrow, MD, PC

Bing Lu

Universal Medical Service LLC

Desmond Browne

Washington Ave. Medical Office