Blythedale Children’s Hospital based in Valhalla has named a successor to its current president and CEO who will be retiring. Larry Levine has served in the position for 26 years. He is to be succeeded by Dr. Nathaniel Beers, a nationally recognized pediatrician and health care executive who is to assume the role on Nov. 17.
Beers currently is the executive vice president of community and population health at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C. Beers is a developmental-behavioral pediatrician and had been president of the HSC Health Care System, COO and chief of specialized instruction for the Washington D.C. Public Schools, and also was with the Washington D.C. Department of Health.
Peter D. Rittmaster, board chair of Blythedale and co-chair of the Board Search Committee said, “We are deeply grateful for Larry’s visionary leadership, tireless advocacy on behalf of our patients and families, and unwavering commitment to our mission. Because of his direction and strong financial stewardship, Blythedale is well-positioned for continued growth and innovation under Dr. Beers’ direction.”
Beers said, “It’s an extraordinary honor to join an institution as respected and innovative as Blythedale. Throughout my career, I’ve worked to break down the barriers that make life harder for families caring for children with complex needs. I’m excited to build on the strong foundation here and help chart the path forward. I’m honored to accept the baton from Larry Levine, whose remarkable leadership and advocacy over the past decades have shaped Blythedale into the extraordinary place it is today.”
Levine commented, “Dr. Beers has dedicated his entire career to medically fragile children. I’m thrilled that his extensive experience will help Blythedale continue to be a leader in providing the highest quality of care to the region’s most vulnerable population of children. He has the profound understanding of their unique medical and social needs to establish new programs which will improve their health and quality of life.”
Beers earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Rochester, his medical degree from The George Washington University, and completed residency at Children’s National. He also holds a Master of Public Administration from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and completed a child advocacy fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital.
Beers currently serves on the International Medical Advisory Group for Special Olympics International and sits on the board of Parents Amplifying Voices in Education.
Blythedale is New York State’s only independent, specialty children’s hospital and one of only 14 pediatric specialty hospitals in the U. S. It currently has a 94-bed inpatient unit, a 24-bed long-term care pavilion, a Day Hospital program run in coordination with the Mount Pleasant Blythedale Union Free School District, and outpatient services.
