When Michael Dowling was growing up in a thatched-roof home without electricity or running water, he certainly wasn’t thinking that one day he’d lead the largest healthcare organization in New York. But that’s what ended up happening after he left the southwest Ireland village of Knockaderry to pursue work in Manhattan. His compelling story includes stints in manual labor, government, education, and healthcare before becoming CEO of Northwell Health in 2002. Throughout his tenure, Dowling substantially expanded Northwell’s reach—which includes Northern Westchester Hospital and Phelps Hospital—to include creating the nation’s first health system-run corporate university and building a Patient Safety Institute. Now CEO Emeritus, he reflects on his early years in poverty, adjusting to life the U.S., and beating the odds with hard work and perseverance.
What were some of the struggles you faced growing up?
Money was always an issue. My mother was deaf and a part-time seamstress who rarely got paid. My father suffered from debilitating arthritis, which caused him to stop working at 42. I started milking cows and doing other chores for local farmers. Given our circumstances, we were told that people in our social class could never amount to anything. One of the farmers once said to me, ‘Isn’t it too bad someone like you will never go to college?’
You did manage to go to college, but you had to leave home. What went into that decision?
I realized early on that leaving Ireland was going to be necessary, given that local opportunities were so few. At 16 I went to England to work at a steel factory so that I could earn money to help out at home and save for college. That fall, I attended University College Cork to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree. At the end of my first year, I had to decide what to do so I could keep covering my college costs. In the spring of 1968, I came to the U.S. and got a summer job on the docks on the west side of Manhattan, then went back to Cork in the fall. Once I graduated, I decided to return to the U.S. full time, which is one of the best decisions I ever made. I continued working on the docks, then moved into construction, then plumbing.
Did it take time for you to get used to living here?
I adjusted quickly because I was excited about the possibilities and fascinated with the diversity, energy, and quick pace. I was willing to work hard and try my hand at everything; in addition to my other jobs, I worked as a janitor cleaning schools and bars after closing time. I didn’t see challenges or obstacles, I saw opportunities. While working as a lecturer at Fordham University, Mario Cuomo’s administration reached out to me for a possible role. I left Fordham and over time, became the Governor’s deputy secretary, director of health and human services, and commissioner of the state Department of Social Services. What an exciting journey, and it could only happen in the U.S.
How do you stay connected with your Irish heritage and culture?
I am very active with numerous Irish organizations, including the American Irish Historical Society. Getting selected as grand marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 2017 was a major highlight of my career. What also made it so special was my family who made the trip. I only wish that my parents were alive to witness it, but I am sure they had a view from ‘up high.’ St. Patrick’s Day is also about immigrants and their contributions to the creation of America—all immigrants from all places. It is so important, especially now, to remind ourselves that nearly all Americans are immigrants or descendants of immigrants whose collective talents, hard work, and dedication create the America we believe in and cherish.
“Given our circumstances, we were told that people in our social class could never amount to anything. A local farmer once said to me, ‘Isn’t it too bad someone like you will never go to college?”
What is your advice for someone just starting out in a career?
As someone who grew up in poverty, one of my core principles is to never let your current circumstances limit your future potential or curtail your dreams. I often encourage young people starting careers to be optimistic, embrace disruption and adaptability, and focus on a maintaining a high curiosity quotient. Always look for ways to improve whatever job or task you are doing, especially if you’re told it can’t be done differently.
Now that you’ve stepped down from your CEO role, what’s next?
I will continue to be quite active as CEO Emeritus over the next 20 months, doing whatever I can to assist my successor, Dr. John D’Angelo. John is extremely talented, knows the organization and its strategy, and is passionate about building upon the unique culture that we have created. From a personal standpoint, I’ll now have more time to pursue interests, including work I started years ago in trying to stem the tide of gun violence in the country. I also continue to receive many speaking invitations, giving me the opportunity to share my insight on leadership and healthcare. I’m also looking forward to spending more time with my family.
