Alumna Charts the Direction of Staten Island’s Largest Hospital

As a young adult, Meagan Sills ’06C aspired to a career in law enforcement. But as the newly promoted president of Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) said, sometimes the road to happiness includes a detour or two.

“My dream was to become a police officer in New York City,” Ms. Sills said. “I come from a blue-collar family, where my father, brother, and uncle were police officers, so I took the test. Later, my brother said that, knowing my strong-minded personality, he did not think it was a career I should pursue. So, I thought I would be a court officer. I took the court officer test, but then I got an offer from Staten Island University Hospital. I did not know the path would lead me this way.”

Ms. Sills, born and raised in Staten Island, NY, was recently named the new leader of the largest hospital in her home borough. The Northwell Health facility features 668 beds spread across its two campuses—in the Ocean Breeze and Prince’s Bay communities. Staten Island University Hospital dates to the American Civil War and is known for its highly ranked cardiology and pediatric units. The hospital treats approximately 40,000 inpatients and 200,000 outpatients annually. Another 100,000 patients visit its emergency rooms each year.        

Ms. Sills, who graduated from St. John’s Staten Island campus with a bachelor’s degree in sociology, has been with the hospital since 2009, progressing from a near entry-level administrative position to supervisor of the entire facility. She served as the hospital’s deputy president from September 2021 to her promotion in September 2025.

“For more than a decade, Meagan was central to our transformation, earning the trust of our staff, physicians, and patients,” outgoing Executive Director Brahim Ardolic, M.D., said. “She is a leader whose vision, skill, and commitment will carry the hospital to even greater heights.”

As president, Ms. Sills oversees the hospital’s daily operations and long-term strategy across both campuses, with a focus on clinical quality, patient safety, and operational efficiency. She directs major capital projects, facility renovations, advanced clinical programs, workforce development, and community initiatives that expand access and elevate care.

Ms. Sills began her SIUH career in 2009 as a medical education coordinator, managing the administrative and financial operations of the hospital’s residency programs. Over the next 15 years, she steadily rose through leadership roles, including administrative director of research, associate executive director of hospital operations, and ultimately, deputy hospital president.

During her tenure, the hospital undertook a significant transformation, marked by high-impact capital projects that strengthened infrastructure and care delivery. In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Ms. Sills supervised more than $100 million in infrastructure upgrades, including improvements to the hospital’s power systems to meet new resiliency standards.

“I was overseeing facilities in areas where I had no expertise—plumbing, electricity, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC),” Ms. Sills joked. “But I had the ability to collaborate with such great people who had the patience to let me ask questions.”

A lifelong Staten Islander, Ms. Sills earned a master of business administration degree from Wagner College in 2014. She is married with two young children and still lives in the borough of her birth.

The greatest reward of her SIUH career has always been the opportunity to support the people of her native borough. During her time there, the hospital established the Florina Cancer Center, which brings together 30 specialists to provide cancer care, even for the most rare and complex cases. The Gruppuso Family Women and Newborn Center has expanded access to specialized maternity services while the Lois & Richard Nicotra Heart Institute has positioned SIUH as a regional leader in cardiovascular care.

Ms. Sills said her education at St. John’s ideally prepared her for the challenges she faces as a health-care professional. “It all goes back to the core education,” she said. “I think about the psychology classes, for example. When I face a tough interaction with people, I try to understand where the person is coming from so that my reaction has a broader perspective and I react correctly. The education that I received allows me to do that.”