HHC - Metropolitan Hospital

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2015

Dr. John T. Pellicone Named Chief Medical Officer at HHC Metropolitan Hospital Center

New York, NY - The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) today announced that John T. Pellicone, MD, FACP, FCCP, FAACVPR, has been appointed Chief Medical Officer of HHC Metropolitan Hospital Center (MHC) and will lead efforts to expand access to healthcare for all, improve the patient experience, and continue providing excellent preventive care and chronic disease management to improve community health. Dr. Pellicone is a pulmonologist by training and most recently served as Chief Medical Officer of two hospitals within the New York-Presbyterian Healthcare System.

“Dr. Pellicone is a dynamic physician leader, bringing a wealth of experience as a clinician and as an administrator to HHC Metropolitan Hospital,” said Anthony Rajkumar, Metropolitan’s Executive Director. “I am confident that with his leadership and expertise, we will continue to deliver the highest quality care to all patients.”

“I am very excited to be joining HHC Metropolitan Hospital Center and committed to working closely with its excellent medical team to improve health outcomes for our patients and their families,” said Dr. Pellicone. “As a community hospital serving a diverse population of patients, HHC Metropolitan focuses on providing access to healthcare that is patient-centered and individualized, and culturally-sensitive to ensure the best possible care and experience for our patients.”

Prior to joining HHC Metropolitan, Dr. Pellicone served as Chief Medical Officer of both Helen Hayes Hospital and Nyack Hospital in Rockland County, the only Chief Medical Officer overseeing two institutions within the New York-Presbyterian Healthcare System. Dr. Pellicone joined Helen Hayes in 1989 as the Director of the Special Care Unit. He was named the Director of Medicine at Nyack Hospital in 1996, and was appointed the hospital’s Chief Medical Officer in 2001. The following year he was also named the Chief Medical Officer at Helen Hayes Hospital.

Dr. Pellicone earned an honors degree with distinction in chemistry from Dartmouth College. He received his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, followed by an internal medicine residency at Montefiore Medical Center, and completed a pulmonary fellowship at HHC Bellevue Hospital Center. Dr. Pellicone began a private practice in pulmonary medicine in 1986, which he maintained until his appointment at HHC Metropolitan Hospital.

Located at First Avenue and East 97th Street, HHC Metropolitan is an acute care, teaching hospital providing comprehensive inpatient and outpatient healthcare and supportive services to residents of East Harlem and surrounding communities. With 338 certified beds, HHC Metropolitan features over 90 primary and specialty services, a state-of-the-art intensive care unit, a comprehensive surgery department, physical medicine and rehabilitation services, and a behavioral health pavilion with inpatient and outpatient mental health and substance abuse programs.

HHC Metropolitan offers several wellness programs that focus on healthy living and chronic disease management. These include asthma, diabetes, weight management, nutritional counseling and smoking cessation. Patients who participate in wellness programs have access to special workshops and support groups that emphasize the connection between mind, body and health. HHC Metropolitan has state-of-the-art Labor and Delivery Suites along with a dedicated Postpartum pavilion, and offers an array of prenatal classes to help make a new mother’s experience positive and comfortable. The hospital also houses a Comprehensive LGBT Health Center designed to focus on the unique health needs and disparities specific to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Contact: Noel Alicea, 212-423-8162, noel.alicea@nychhc.org

About Metropolitan Hospital Center
Metropolitan Hospital Center (MHC) is the community hospital of choice for residents of East Harlem, northern Manhattan and neighboring communities. MHC provides culturally-sensitive care in a welcoming and hospitable setting, emphasizing primary care medicine and utilizing the latest advances in medical science. Metropolitan is part of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC), the largest municipal hospital and health care system in the country. For more information, please visit www.nyc.gov/mhc

About HHC
The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) is a $6.7 billion integrated healthcare delivery system, the largest municipal healthcare organization in the country, and one of the New York area's largest providers of government-sponsored health insurance, MetroPlus Health Plan, the plan of choice for nearly half a million New Yorkers. 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, five 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 received 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 or find us on facebook.com/nycHHC or twitter.com/HHCnyc.