January 30, 2014
Contact: Bellevue Public Affairs, 212-562-4516
Physician Leader Will Coordinate Care at More Than 90 Outpatient & Specialty Clinics
New York, NY - Bellevue Hospital Center, part of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC), today announced that Andrew B. Wallach, MD, FACP, has been appointed the new Clinical Director of Ambulatory Care in charge of coordinating the clinical activities of more than 90 outpatient and specialty clinics at the hospital. Dr. Wallach will work with the Chiefs of Service to improve access, quality and patient satisfaction in support of the widely adopted Triple Aim initiative – better healthcare, better outcomes and lower costs. He will especially focus on advancing the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) healthcare delivery model to Bellevue’s primary care clinics (Adult Medicine, Geriatrics, Virology and Pediatrics) and will lead efforts to spread the principles of patient-centered, accountable care to Bellevue’s many specialty clinics.
“Since joining Bellevue Hospital in 1994, Dr. Wallach has demonstrated unwavering commitment to excellence in patient care and has led systems reform initiatives aimed at improving access, engaging patients in their own care, and managing chronic disease care,” said Dr. Nathan Link, Bellevue’s Medical Director. “I’m confident he will bring that same level of excellence and leadership to his new role.”
“Dr. Wallach is a dynamic physician leader dedicated to bringing world-class healthcare to Bellevue’s diverse patient population of everyday New Yorkers,” said Steven R. Alexander, Executive Director of Bellevue Hospital.
Dr. Wallach said, “I am excited to be leading the ambulatory care clinics as we strive to provide more coordinated, efficient care with improved clinical outcomes for our patients, and better access to primary care and specialties.”
Dr. Wallach received his undergraduate degree in History (cum laude) from Duke University and his medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he also completed residency training in Internal Medicine. He is currently an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine at the NYU School of Medicine, and serves as that Division’s Associate Director for Clinical Innovations and Clinical Affairs.
Three years ago, Dr. Wallach led the team that successfully achieved a National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Level III Recognition as a Patient-Centered Medical Home for the Adult Primary Care Center at Bellevue Hospital. At HHC, Dr. Wallach has held key leadership roles in its efforts to redesign primary care services, including Co-Chair of the Ambulatory Care Leadership Council, member of the HHC Access Initiative Steering Committee, and member of the HHC Soarian Governance Committee.
HHC honored Dr. Wallach with its Top Doctor of the Year Award in 2007 in recognition of his leadership, commitment to patient care and dedication to medical student and resident education. He has also been the recipient of NYU’s Outstanding Ambulatory Care Clerkship Teaching Award and Hospitalist of the Year Award.
About Bellevue
Bellevue is a member of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) and is America's oldest continuously operating hospital, established in 1736. Affiliated with the NYU School of Medicine, Bellevue is a major referral center for highly complex cases. The 828-bed hospital has more than 4,000 employees and runs an extensive ambulatory care program that provides more than 500,000 outpatient primary care and specialty care visits annually. Its emergency room sees more than 125,000 visits every year. Clinical centers of excellence include: Emergency Medicine and Trauma Care; Cardiovascular Services; Designated Regional Perinatal Center and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (ICU); Comprehensive Children's Psychiatric Emergency Program; and Cancer Services.
About HHC
The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) is a $6.7 billion integrated healthcare delivery system with its own 430,000 member health plan, MetroPlus, and is the largest municipal healthcare organization in the country. HHC serves 1.4 million New Yorkers every year and more than 475,000 are uninsured. HHC provides medical, mental health and substance abuse services through its 11 acute care hospitals, four skilled nursing facilities, six large diagnostic and treatment centers and more than 70 community based clinics. HHC Health and Home Care also provides in-home services for New Yorkers. HHC was the 2008 recipient of the National Quality Forum and The Joint Commission's John M. Eisenberg Award for Innovation in Patient Safety and Quality. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/hhc.