Westervelt named senior VP and COO at New York-Presbyterian

Karen Westervelt will become senior VP and COO at New York-Presbyterian Healthcare System on Oct. 20, the system announced.

Westervelt, 54, was most recently president and CEO of the William F. Ryan Community Health Network in New York City, a position she started in June. She also oversaw New York's implementation of federal and state healthcare reform as deputy commissioner of the Office of Primary Care and Health Systems Management in the state's Department of Health, and served as executive director at the Ryan/Chelsea-Clinton Community Health Center between 2004 and 2011.

“New York-Presbyterian has made a transformative impact on healthcare,” Westervelt said in a news release. “I am proud to be joining an institution that has such a longstanding and proven commitment to innovation, quality and patient-centered care for so many.”

Westervelt will replace Wayne Osten, who is retiring.

“Ms. Westervelt is a proven leader and one of the top minds in healthcare in New York,” Laura Forese, president of the healthcare system, said in the release. “Her deep understanding of all aspects of healthcare delivery will be of great benefit to the New York-Presbyterian Healthcare System.”

New York-Presbyterian Healthcare System includes hospitals, physician practices and ambulatory care sites in the New York metropolitan area.

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