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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline JANUARY 23, 2026 | The Indian Eye 22

NYC Health + Hospitals Expands Maternal

Care in the Bronx, Names New CEO at Coler

OUR BUREAU
New York, NY

YC Health + Hospitals is moving
to strengthen care at both ends of
Nthe age spectrum, announcing ex-
panded maternal health programs in the
Bronx and new leadership at one of the city’s
most important post-acute care facilities.
At NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi and North
Central Bronx, newly appointed Chair of Obstet-
rics and Gynecology Dr. Veronica Ades is rolling
out changes aimed at improving postpartum care
and maternal mental health, while NYC Health +
Hospitals/Coler on Roosevelt Island prepares for
a new chapter under incoming Chief Executive
Officer Nataliya Yakovleva.
At Jacobi and North Central Bronx, hospital
officials said the expansion of maternal health
services reflects a deliberate shift toward more
accessible, patient-centered postpartum care in
communities where new mothers often face struc-
tural barriers to follow-up treatment. Veronica Ades (left) and Nataliya Yakovleva
Dr. Ades, who was appointed chair in April
2025, brings more than two decades of experience additional reproductive psychologists. Mental 100 residents. She becomes the first female CEO
and a deep personal connection to the Bronx. A health services are being further integrated into at Coler in more than four decades.
former Jacobi resident physician, she has made obstetric care to ensure pregnant and postpartum Coler itself has earned five-star CMS ratings
obstetrical quality, safety, and trauma-informed patients can access psychiatric support and medi- in quality, staffing, and overall performance, and
care central to her leadership agenda. cations that are safe during pregnancy. health system leaders said Yakovleva’s appoint-
One of the most significant changes under her Since 2022, Jacobi’s OB/GYN department ment positions the facility for continued excel-
tenure has been the introduction of shared moth- has had an in-house psychologist dedicated to lence.
er-baby appointments, allowing mothers and their caring for women who are pregnant or were re- “Nataliya Yakovleva has a lifelong commit-
newborns to be seen during the same visit. Hospi- cently pregnant. Officials said the expanded focus ment to post-acute care and a deep understanding
tal officials said the approach directly addresses recognizes the close link between physical health, of how to improve operations while maintaining
challenges such as transportation, time off work, mental health, and pregnancy outcomes. high-quality care,” said NYC Health + Hospitals
and child care costs that often prevent new moth- “The Bronx is my home,” Dr. Ades said, not- President and CEO Dr. Mitchell Katz.
ers from returning for postpartum care. ing that she is a native Spanish speaker and pro- Senior Vice President for Post-Acute Care Dr.
Since Jacobi Hospital began offering shared vides care in two languages. “Patients want to be Khoi Luong called her background in social work
appointments, attendance for postpartum visits— respected, informed, and to receive high-quality and nursing home administration “the perfect
typically scheduled six to eight weeks after child- care where their needs are truly met.” combination” to lead Coler forward.
birth—has risen sharply, from 54 percent to 78 While maternal care is being strengthened Yakovleva, who holds bachelor’s and master’s
percent. In addition, the department has encour- in the Bronx, NYC Health + Hospitals also an- degrees in social work from New York University
aged in-person visits one week after childbirth nounced a leadership transition at Coler, the city’s and is a licensed nursing home administrator, said
rather than telehealth appointments, achieving an long-term and post-acute care facility on Roos- her career has been defined by advocacy and dig-
attendance rate of 89 percent. evelt Island. nified care. Born in Odessa, Ukraine, she has lived
Hospital leaders say the gains underscore the Nataliya Yakovleva, LNHA, LMSW, has in Brooklyn since 1990 and is fluent in Russian.
importance of designing care models around pa- been appointed Chief Executive Officer of NYC “I am truly humbled by the trust placed in me,”
tients’ realities rather than expecting patients to Health + Hospitals/Coler, effective January 20. Yakovleva said. “I look forward to partnering with
adapt to rigid systems. She brings nearly 25 years of experience in long- our staff, residents, and community as we begin
“Mothers must continue care for both them- term care, including 15 years in senior leadership this next chapter together.”
selves and their babies after delivery, but too of- roles at large nursing home organizations across Elected officials and community leaders
ten that follow-up doesn’t happen,” Dr. Ades said. New York City. echoed that sentiment, emphasizing Coler’s role
“We are focused on understanding where our pa- Yakovleva most recently served as Executive as a vital resource for older adults and medically
tients are coming from and tailoring our services Director of Clove Lakes Healthcare and Rehabil- complex residents across the city.
to meet their needs.” itation Center on Staten Island, where she earned Together, the announcements highlight a
The OB/GYN department has also expanded a five-star Quality Measures rating from the Cen- broader push by NYC Health + Hospitals to
its focus on maternal mental health. Jacobi and ters for Medicare & Medicaid Services, imple- strengthen leadership and redesign care deliv-
North Central Bronx have conducted lectures on mented a new electronic medical record system, ery—from maternity wards to long-term care—
trauma-informed care for staff and plan to hire and increased the facility’s census by more than around equity, access, and patient dignity.

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