On Wednesday, April 30, Dene Hurley, Dean of the School of Business, and Associate Professor Alexander Núñez-Torres, were honored alongside Cristina Contreras, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln and a proud Lehman alumna, at Schneps Media’s Healthcare Heroes event. The annual event celebrates those who have made transformative contributions to the healthcare community, shining a spotlight on individuals whose leadership and innovation are advancing healthcare and patient care.

Dean Hurley, Professor Núñez-Torres, and Cristina Contreras were recognized for launching the Leadership Education Administrative Rotation and Networking (LEARN) Program, a collaboration between the School of Business and NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln. The LEARN Program offers Lehman business students invaluable hands-on experience in healthcare administration, providing them with the skills and exposure needed to excel in the complex healthcare industry.

Dean Hurley expressed her gratitude, stating, “It’s an incredible honor to be recognized alongside such inspiring healthcare leaders. The collaboration between Lehman College and NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln has created an exceptional opportunity for our students to gain real-world experience in hospital administration. We are truly thankful to Cristina Contreras for her leadership and for making this life-changing program possible.”

Officially launched in Fall 2024, the program combines leadership education and practical training, giving business students direct experience in managing hospital operations and preparing them for leadership roles in the healthcare field. By bridging the gap between business and healthcare, the program is shaping the next generation of healthcare executives.