The North Shore-LIJ Health System today announced the appointment of William J. Cunningham, III, as vice president of government and community affairs. In this role, which he assumes June 1, Mr. Cunningham will work with elected leaders and their staffs at the local, state and federal levels, and serve as the health system’s liaison to community and business leaders.

“We’re delighted that Bill Cunningham will be joining the North Shore-LIJ Health System as vice president of government and community affairs,” said Michael Dowling, North Shore-LIJ’s president and chief executive officer. “He’s a class individual with vast experience who is well regarded by elected leaders on both sides of the political aisle.”

As a former advisor to Governor Paterson, Mr. Cunningham’s responsibilities included budget, economic development, and statewide infrastructure issues. He also served as liaison with federal, state and local officials.

Prior to working with Governor Paterson, he was counsel to Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi. He was the architect of Nassau County’s revised Fair Housing Legislation Law, facilitated the reorganization of the county’s Commission on Human Rights, and served as the liaison to the County Executive’s Bias Crimes Task Force.

Mr. Cunningham, a resident of Bay Shore, NY, began his legal career in 1976 as an associate with Patterson, Belknap, Webb & Tyler, LLP. He later served as partner, president and managing partner of Meyer, Suozzi, English, & Klein, PC; and as a partner with Pryor, Cashman, Sherman & Flynn, LLP where his practice focused on corporate compliance, securities regulation and white collar criminal defense. Before entering private practice, Mr. Cunningham was an Assistant US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and served as trial assistant in the criminal division, deputy chief of the criminal division, chief of the narcotics section and chief of the Long Island office.

Mr. Cunningham received his law degree from Columbia University School of Law, where he was recognized as a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar for superior academic achievement. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Williams College, Williamstown, MA. He is a former chair and board member of North Shore-LIJ’s Hospice Care Network, based in Woodbury, NY.

About North Shore-LIJ Health System
The nation's third largest, non-profit, secular healthcare system, the North Shore-LIJ Health System cares for people of all ages throughout Long Island, Queens and Staten Island – a service area encompassing more than five million people. The health system consists of 14 hospitals, 18 long-term care facilities, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, three trauma centers, five home health agencies, a hospice network and dozens of outpatient centers. In addition, North Shore-LIJ is partnering with Hofstra University to develop a new medical school. Excluding its affiliate organizations, North Shore-LIJ facilities house about 5,000 beds, employ about 10,000 nurses, have affiliations with more than 7,000 physicians, and a total workforce of about 38,000 -- the largest employer on Long Island and the ninth largest in New York City. For more information, go to www.northshorelij.com.

Media Contact:
Terry Lynam
516-465-264012600
tlynam@nshs.edu