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2025 Heroes in the Community Gala

Honoree

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Megan C. Ryan, Esq.

PRESIDENT & CEO; CLO

Chief Executive Officer, President & Chief Legal Officer – NuHealth/NUMC | Advocate | Educator

Megan C. Ryan, Esq. serves as Chief Executive Officer and President, as well as Chief Legal Officer of the Nassau Health Care Corporation (NuHealth), where she also acts as General Counsel to the Board for NuHealth/NUMC and the A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility. With a powerful blend of executive leadership and legal acumen, Ms. Ryan has led transformative reforms that have enhanced care quality and fiscal sustainability for Nassau County’s public health institutions.

As Interim CEO and President, she spearheaded strategic initiatives that resulted in improved national quality grades—the first such improvement for the organization in six years—while achieving $100 million in cost savings and significantly increasing collections. Her leadership has been pivotal in stabilizing and advancing public healthcare for the region.

 

Ms. Ryan earned her Bachelor of Science from Fordham University, where she was recognized as a Dean’s Scholar and inducted into the Biology Chairman’s Circle. She received her Juris Doctor from St. John’s University School of Law and remains an active member of several prestigious organizations, including the Nassau County Bar Association, Nassau County Women’s Bar Association, New York State Bar Association (Women in Law and Health Law Committees), and the American College of Hospital Executives’ Public Health and Women’s Bar Committees.

Her exceptional contributions have earned her widespread recognition, including:

  • Long Island Power Woman Award (2016–2020, 2023–2024)
  • Schneps Media Power List and Dan’s Papers Power List (2024)
  • Long Island Business News (LIBN) Top 50 Women in Business (2024)
  • LIBN Leader in the Law (2017)
  • Forty Under Forty Award (2018)
  • LI Herald Distinguished Leader Award (2020) and Leader in the Law (2021)

Ms. Ryan has been a featured speaker at national legal conferences, including ALM’s General Counsel Conferences and the Women, Influence & Power in the Law (WIPL) series in Washington, D.C., presenting on topics such as ethics, legal department leadership, and corporate transformation.

In addition to her legal and executive roles, Ms. Ryan is a passionate community advocate. She was honored with the Indian Association of Long Island Community Award, the New York Law Journal’s Distinguished Leader Award (2022), and the Schneps Media Power Professional/Power Lawyer & Health Care Hero designation. She also participated in the LI Herald Women’s Executive Summit, presenting on empowering women entrepreneurs through MWBE certification.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, she lent her voice and leadership to forums on hospital operations and school safety, balancing her role at NuHealth with her position as President of the North Merrick School Board. She contributed to district-wide planning as a member of the Re-Entry Task Force and served on key mental health and COVID-19 response committees.

Her additional accolades include:

  • Irish Echo Community Champion Award (2020)
  • WIPL In-House Leadership Award (2020)
  • WIPL Thought Leadership Award (2021 & 2023)
  • Recognized by Law.com and the New York Law Journal for national impact during the COVID-19 crisis

Ms. Ryan’s commitment to education is equally profound. Since 2018, she has served as a Trustee and current President of the North Merrick Board of Education, now in her sixth term, and also serves as Vice President of the Bellmore Merrick Central High School District Board. She was appointed to the St. John’s University School of Law Alumni Leadership Committee and has served on the board of the Butterfly Initiative Project since 2019.

With a career marked by integrity, compassion, and transformative impact, Megan C. Ryan, Esq. continues to lead by example—uplifting institutions, inspiring future leaders, and advancing the well-being of communities across Long Island.