Annette Gonzalez, director of ambulatory care at Lincoln Hospital, proudly claims her hometown as “The Boogie Down.”
It’s like a password into an exclusive club.
“If you’re a lifelong Bronx person, you know, the Bronx says the Boogie Down Bronx,” she said.
And if you can say it in Spanish, even better.
Gonzalez says her Spanish helps her better serve the patients that come through Lincoln.
“There’s an intimacy that’s created there,” she said. “All you have to do is, is say a few words in Spanish, ‘how are you doing? Have a great day. Is there anything I can do to help you?’ and you’re a part of their family automatically.”
She oversees outpatient care and the practices and programs under her areas take a holistic approach to quality, safe, and respectful care and also to link patients to valuable services that address food insecurity, legal services, cancer screening services and housing insecurity.
Gonzalez has been working in health administration at different hospitals for over 30 years, 20 of which were in the city’s public hospital system. She says it’s a perfect job fit because it aligns with her values.
“I feel a great need to help people, to be of service,” she said.
As a product of public education and public housing, Gonzales is proud to be a part of a public hospital that provides a service to the community.
“We’re addressing a need and we’re providing health equity,” she said.
This story was updated on Mar. 13, to clarify Gonzalez’s job responsibilities and to point out that she has worked in health administration for over 30 years.
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