LEADING WITH PURPOSE
Zachary Almer and Darren H.P. Deoraj on Advancing Healthcare Leadership and Community Impact
At the forefront of healthcare innovation and leadership development stand Zachary Almer and Darren H.P. Deoraj—two mission-driven professionals shaping the future of healthcare in New York. Almer, Director of Strategic Project Management in the Office of the President at LiveOnNY, oversees high-priority initiatives that drive clinical, operational, and strategic transformation for one of the nation’s leading organ procurement organizations. Deoraj, President of Healthcare Leaders of New York (HLNY) and System Director, Department of Urology at Mount Sinai Health System, brings over a decade of experience—beginning at The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai—where he focused on academic administration and business operations. Together, through their leadership roles at HLNY, the local chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives, they are united by a shared commitment to fostering ethical standards, professional growth, and meaningful community engagement across the region’s healthcare ecosystem.
What are the pressing challenges currently facing healthcare organizations in New York and beyond?
Almer: Hospitals have ongoing challenges like financial pressures, workforce shortages, and political pressures creating gaps in health equity which continue to affect patient care not only in New York but also across the country. As an example of how these interplay into so many sectors, let’s focus on the unique landscape that Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) like LiveOnNY navigate every day.
Our company, LiveOnNY, is one of 56 federally designated Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) in the U.S., working closely with over 100 donor hospitals and 11 transplant centers throughout the New York Metro Area. Our mission is to honor, change, and transform lives through organ and tissue donation. Since 2022, we’ve seen a 70% increase in organ donation, an incredible milestone that has saved thousands of lives.
The number of registered organ donors in our region is much lower than other major cities. This is a big opportunity to raise awareness with our communities to make organ donation more widely understood and embraced. This is why we engage with professional organizations like HLNY to develop models for collaboration.
Operationally, we’ve increased referrals by five times since 2021; however, ensuring those happen quickly and accurately continues to be a top priority. Strong, ongoing relationships with our partner hospitals are essential to increasing donation. At the same time, the OPO industry faces growing oversight, and staying aligned with performance standards and compliance requirements is key to keeping the public’s trust and continuing to scale our impact.
Why is it so critical right now for healthcare professionals to stay connected and engaged within their communities?
Almer: At LiveOnNY, Community building is at the heart of our success and in my role on the Board of HLNY. In a city as diverse as New York, connecting with people in meaningful ways is key to developing culture, dispelling myths and misconceptions, and changing how communities view organ donation.
Recognizing this, LiveOnNY’s leadership team prioritized a grassroots approach. Our teams were in neighborhoods across the New York Metro area, working with community leaders, and aligning with elected officials to raise awareness and highlight the impact of donation.
It worked. By the end of 2024, LiveOnNY became the number one OPO in the nation for honoring Black organ donor heroes and organ donors over the age of 65 years old. Nearly 60% of all life-saving gifts facilitated by LiveOnNY that year came from Black, Hispanic, or Asian donors, representing the communities we serve and our census. These results reflect the hypothesis that real connections lead to real results.
For healthcare professionals, staying connected and involved is more important than ever. Whether it’s through outreach or getting involved in groups like HLNY, we need to keep listening, learning, and growing.
How do collaborations with professional associations elevate awareness and drive innovation in healthcare delivery?
Almer: At LiveOnNY, working with professional associations has been crucial to raising awareness, strengthening our connection with the community, and extending our reach to better support those we serve.
By teaming up with associations that represent different healthcare disciplines, we’ve been able to connect with groups that might not be easily reached through their day-to-day jobs. These professionals play a major role in advancing our mission, so meeting them through events, webinars, and digital
platforms has helped us share our message more effectively. LiveOnNY annually honors hundreds of healthcare professionals and community leaders across the New York Metro region with certificates, donor hero medals, and other awards, through our engagement with these associations.
These partnerships also help spark new ideas and drive improvement. They open the door for cross-discipline conversations, highlight what’s working, and help us all get better at what we do.
“Since its roots in 1969, HLNY has been shaping healthcare leadership through connection, education, and community.”
— Darren Deoraj, President, HLNY, & System Director, Department of Urology at Mount Sinai Health System
How does HLNY foster meaningful development opportunities for both early-career professionals and senior executives alike?
Deoraj: HLNY supports professionals at every stage—from students to seasoned executives—through a broad mix of education, service, networking, and leadership development programs. As the largest chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives, our 2,100+members reflect every facet of the
healthcare system, and our commitment is to walk alongside them throughout their journey. We create value for our members through panel discussions and networking events, which offer real opportunities to learn from peers and build meaningful relationships. HLNY hosts over 20 annual events—both virtual and in-person—including panel discussions, service initiatives, mixers, and certificate-driven programs that address timely industry issues and leadership topics. Our goal is to provide resources, mentoring, and
community to help professionals grow, connect, and lead with purpose. HLNY is more than a chapter—it’s a career-long partner and a people-first community committed to developingthe next generation of leaders.
What role do you see HLNY playing in shaping the next generation of healthcare leaders?
Deoraj: Since its roots in 1969, HLNY has been shaping healthcare leadership through connection,
education, and community. In 2025, our theme—Back to Basics: Adding Value at Every Step—reinforces that leadership is about people, relationships, and showing up with purpose. HLNY will continue to evolve
as a vital connector across the care continuum, providing tools and inspiration for leaders to make a meaningful difference. For those looking to get involved, my advice is simple: take the first step. Come to an event, bring a friend, reach out to a board member—whatever makes you feel comfortable. Leadership starts with action, and once you begin, HLNY will be there to support your growth every step of the way.
