Jamaican American Power 100 2024
Meet Bridgette Ingraham-Roberts. With roots tracing back to Jamaica and the Bahamas, she has dedicated her life to healthcare for the past 30 years here in New York City. Her extensive experience in government relations and healthcare advocacy has made a significant impact on hospitals and communities throughout New York State. From her influential role in passing healthcare policies that benefit millions of New Yorkers to her current position at South Brooklyn Health, Ingraham-Roberts’ career is a testament to her commitment to improving healthcare access and quality for all.
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Ingraham-Roberts’ journey in healthcare began with her passionate involvement in government relations. Her work in the New York State Senate played a crucial role in the passage of healthcare policies that have positively affected millions. Following her tenure in the Senate, she joined the Greater New York Hospital Association, where she was promoted from Director to Vice President. In this role, she advocated on behalf of over 200 hospital members, working closely with the New York State Legislature and the New York City Council to ensure the enactment of policies that protected hospitals and their patients.
Her advocacy extended to the local level as well, where she worked with City Hall and Borough Presidents to support NYC Health + Hospitals. She managed the Community Advisory Boards (CABs), ensuring they effectively served as the voice of the hospitals and their communities. These efforts underscored her dedication to creating a responsive and inclusive healthcare system.
In her current role at South Brooklyn Health, her role has been profound. She developed and executed a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy for the hospital’s multi-year campus transition. This included renaming the hospital from Coney Island Hospital to South Brooklyn Health and naming the new 11-story inpatient facility in honor of the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Her work ensured seamless communication with the media and the community during this significant transition.
One of her notable achievements at South Brooklyn Health was convening a community forum on gun violence. This forum brought together members of the police, Mayor Adams’ administration, and the community to discuss the impacts of gun violence and explore solutions. Her leadership in this initiative highlighted her commitment to addressing pressing social issues through collaboration and dialogue. Out of this forum came the establishment of the SBH Cares initiative, and the partnering with Liberation Diploma Plus High School to provide educational workshops on financial literacy, trauma, career readiness, and teen pregnancy. This partnership also included paid internships at South Brooklyn Health, offering students practical experience in nursing, finance, and radiology, where five students had the opportunity to intern during the spring, gaining valuable insights into the healthcare profession.
As Jamaica celebrates its 62nd Independence Anniversary, Ingraham-Roberts extends her heartfelt wishes to the nation and its people. She emphasizes the importance of unity, stating, “Only in unity do you find strength.” She hopes that Jamaica continues to thrive economically and that its people bond together as one.
Bridgette Ingraham-Roberts’ career is a shining example of how dedicated leadership and advocacy can transform healthcare systems and communities. Her unwavering commitment to improving healthcare access, empowering the next generation, and addressing social issues has made a lasting impact on New York and beyond.
