Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
North Shore-LIJ Health System

As executive vice president and chief operating officer, Mr. Solazzo provides leadership and oversight to all operations for the North Shore-LIJ Health System, including its 14 hospitals, long-term care facilities, internationally recognized medical research institute and healthcare-related businesses. Mr. Solazzo oversees a workforce of more than 38,000 employees, including more than 7,500 physicians and 9,500 nurses. In his role, he is responsible for integrating the strategic plan of the organization through its operations and maintaining an organizational culture that recognizes the importance of strategic change leadership, excellence in execution, accountability and an ongoing commitment to long-term growth and innovation. In addition, he is responsible for ensuring the delivery of coordinated services to meet the needs of patients and the community.

Prior to his appointment to chief operating officer in 2005, Mr. Solazzo served as chief of staff and chief administrative officer to the health system’s President and Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Dowling. In that position, he worked with senior leadership to successfully implement the health system’s strategic objectives, providing management oversight for the development of first-class, cost-effective and integrated programs to ensure the operational and strategic success of the organization. He was also accountable for government relations, and managed the health system’s emergency preparedness efforts and special projects for the Center for Emergency Medical Services and other core divisions.

Before joining North Shore-LIJ in 1995, Mr. Solazzo held a number of senior-level positions within the New York State Department of Social Services, where he oversaw health and social services issues for 15 years. During his tenure there, he was responsible for the state’s Child Assistance Program which earned Harvard University’s prestigious Innovations in Government award. Mr. Solazzo culminated his work at the department as the director of the Bureau of Management and Administrative Support.

Mr. Solazzo is a member of the Healthcare Institute, Inc., The Health Management Academy and the Healthcare Association of New York State.

Mr. Solazzo is currently an adjunct professor at St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue, NY, where he teaches a graduate-level course in healthcare management.

Mr. Solazzo earned an undergraduate degree from Fordham University, studied at Albany Medical College, and received an MBA with a specialization in health systems management from Union College, Schenectady, NY.