Cristina Contreras, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, took a significant step to inspire others during Breast Cancer Awareness Month by sharing her personal journey and encouraging women to prioritize their health.

Contreras, who was born in the Dominican Republic and has carved an illustrious career path from a caseworker to her current executive role, recently received her mammogram, demonstrating the importance of regular screenings.

Breast cancer remains the second-most common form of cancer among women in the United States, following skin cancer. Alarmingly, Black women experience a higher mortality rate from breast cancer compared to their White, Latino, and Asian/Pacific Islander counterparts.

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This disparity is often attributed to later diagnoses, which deprive them of early treatment opportunities.

Contreras, with over 27 years of leadership experience in healthcare management, emphasizes the crucial message: “If you are over age 40, be sure to get screened for breast cancer.”

She highlights the recommendation for women aged 50 to 74 to undergo mammograms every two years.

Her journey from a dedicated caseworker to a prominent CEO at NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan in April 2021, and later at Lincoln in September 2024, underscores her commitment to public health and her community. In her words, the goal is clear: “Please call 1-844-692-4692 to schedule a breast cancer screening and mammogram.”

By sharing her own experience, Contreras hopes to bridge the gap in healthcare disparities and to inspire women, particularly those in underserved communities, to take proactive steps in their health journey. Breast cancer awareness and timely screening can save lives, and her leadership is a beacon of hope and empowerment.