William Hicks

William Hicks, MS, RT, DHL (Hon), served as Chief Executive Officer of NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue after leading the hospital as Chief Operating Officer since 2013. He began his healthcare career as a radiologic technologist and brings patient care perspective to his decision-making. Hicks completed his undergraduate and Master's work at Saint Joseph's College in New York City.

During his tenure, Hicks led Bellevue through the COVID-19 pandemic, when the hospital provided critical care and operated as a test and vaccine hub. As COO, he played a lead role developing the team and protocols for the successful treatment of New York's first confirmed Ebola patient in 2014. Hicks has overseen Bellevue's national recognitions for adult and pediatric trauma, stroke care, cardiology, diabetes, psychiatry and special pathogens.

He is Platinum-level trained in Lean process improvement and has facilitated over 35 weeklong Rapid Improvement Events. He received an Honorary Doctorate of Human Letters from the New York College of Health Professions in 2021. Hicks serves on in-network and interagency workgroups supporting public health efforts in New York City.

Career history

• Chief Executive Officer, NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue (2016-2024, 11 years)
• Chief Operating Officer, NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue (2013-2016)
• Deputy Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer, NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln (2010-2013)
• Deputy Executive Director/Chief Innovation Officer, Woodhull Hospital, Brooklyn (2000-2010)
• Radiographer, NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County (1978-1980)

What Hicks could bring to leading NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue: His demonstrated expertise in crisis management across multiple major public health emergencies—from Hurricane Sandy to Ebola to COVID-19—combined with his career-long commitment to operational excellence and process improvement, positioned him to drive innovation in patient care delivery while maintaining the highest safety and clinical standards at one of America's oldest and most historically significant public hospitals.