Peninsula Counseling Center's ‘A Tasteful Evening’ will honor Michael Dowling

Peninsula Counseling Center (PCC), a licensed, non-profit mental health and chemical dependence treatment center for all children and adults in Valley Stream, will honor Michael Dowling, the president and chief executive officer of North-LIJ Health System, for his dedication to health care at its annual “Tasteful Evening” fundraiser at the Seawane Club in Hewlett Harbor on Monday, Oct. 20.
Dowling joined the LIJ team in 1995 and served as the health system’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. He became president and CEO in 2002. Prior to working with LIJ, he was the senior vice president at Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
A native of Limerick, Ireland, Dowling earned his undergraduate degree from University College Cork. He earned his master’s at Fordham University.
Dowling will also be honored for his longtime involvement in public services. He has served seven years as New York State director of Health, Education and Human Services and deputy secretary to the governor. He was also commissioner of the state’s Department of Social Services.
Prior to his career in public service, Dowling was a professor of social policy and assistant dean at the Fordham University Graduate School of Social Services, and director of the Fordham campus in Westchester County.
An affiliate of North Shore-LIJ since 2007, PCC is a part of the largest integrated health care system in New York State, complete with 17 hospitals and a license to sell its own health insurance. The center strives for extended and accessible mental health services. “I have to continue to expand my mental health services because it’s so necessary for the community,” Dowling said.