Zufall Health Introduces New Chief Operating Officer, Annette Gonzalez, DHA, MPA

Annette Gonzalez, DHA, MPA, a health care executive with more than 30 years of experience, joined Zufall Health as chief operating officer (COO) on May 8. Gonzalez replaced former COO Frances L. Palm, MPA, who became president and chief executive officer in February.

Gonzalez’s career includes significant experience serving vulnerable communities’ health needs. Most recently, she was director of ambulatory care for NYC Health + Hospitals Lincoln in the Bronx, where, like Zufall, many patients identify as Latinx/Hispanic, are best served in a language other than English, and/or are uninsured. In this role, she managed the operation of 47 practices in 17 locations with over 304,000 patient visits annually. She also oversaw the hospital’s HIV services, family planning, and cancer screening programs.

Gonzalez previously held leadership roles with Memorial Sloan Kettering as well as with Morris Heights Health Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center.

As Zufall’s COO, Gonzalez is responsible for the processes and systems that ensure smooth patient operations at our 14 service locations. She will work cross-functionally with clinical, financial, and human resources department leaders and have lead roles in the risk management, external partnerships, and strategic planning functions.

“I was drawn to Zufall for its longstanding commitment to advancing health equity,” Gonzalez said. “As COO, I’m committed to making sure that our staff have the resources and processes to deliver high-quality care to our patients.”

“Annette’s depth of knowledge and mission-driven approach make her a welcome addition to our management team,” said president and CEO Frances Palm. “We look forward to having her at the helm of operations as we grow our services intentionally and efficiently.”

Gonzalez earned her doctor of health administration from Capella University, master of public administration from John Jay College, and bachelor of science in psychology from Fordham University.