Knockaderry-native Michael Dowling has been honoured at the ALF (American National Liver Foundation) National Legacy Gala in New York.
The occasion is the ALF’s annual event to recognise individuals and organisations who have made an outstanding contribution to the ALF and the liver community.
The Foundation honoured Dowling for his work as CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of Northwell Health during the expansion of its liver research, care and transplant programmes.
Northwell is the largest healthcare provider in New York (with a workforce of over 85,000 and annual revenues of $16.5 billion) and recently launched the first liver transplant programme for Long Island.
Michael has never forgotten his Irish roots and teamed up with the ALF in 2022 to form the Irish Liver Foundation.
The ALF stated that the disease is one of the top five killers of Irish patients, adding that chronic liver disease affects more than half of the Irish adult population.
Lorraine Stiehl, CEO of ALF stated that the Irish Liver Foundation was created to improve patient care across Ireland. “The Irish Liver Foundation was formed in 2022 by a group of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dieticians, patients, and their families to build a community of those affected by liver disease,” she said. “Together with Northwell Health, we are committed to share resources and support research in an effort to improve patient care across Ireland.”
Dowling, meanwhile, said he has made liver treatment a top priority at Northwell Health. “I’m honoured to receive the Healthcare Visionary Award from the American Liver Foundation,” Dowling commented. “Northwell has made treating liver disease a priority, launching the first liver transplant programme for Long Island.”
Before joining Northwell Health in 1995, Michael served in New York State Government for 12 years, including seven years as state director of Health, Education and Human Services and deputy secretary to the governor.
He was also Commissioner of the New York State Department of Social Services.