Katherine Hochman, MD, MBA

As the director of the Division of Hospital Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, I am driven by a deep commitment to delivering outstanding, patient-centered care and creating diverse teams that help fulfill the tripartite mission of our institution. My philosophy is rooted in understanding what drives others to become exceptional, a view that is essential in leading a division that spans six inpatient locations and encompasses more than 250 physicians. What tremendous growth since I started the program with just one hospitalist (myself) in 2004!

My specialty is hospital medicine, which encompasses providing care that is at the highest quality and safety. My team cares for the majority of the patients in the hospital. However, it’s not about the quantity of patients, but our fantastic and consistent outcomes. Our patients spend less time in the hospital, which means faster recoveries. They are also significantly less likely to suffer hospital-acquired complications, a testament to our laser focus on patient safety.

Throughout my career, I have practiced treating patients as individuals, not just their conditions. I take the time to listen and learn about my patients, understanding their unique stories and needs. This philosophy extends to my leadership style, where I strive to understand and support my team in delivering exceptional care. It is not surprising that so many members of my team have been promoted to leadership positions in Education, Informatics, Operations, Medical Ethics, Strategy, and Patient Safety. I also try to inspire all people across the institution by leading the Patient Experience Book Club, which started in 2012.

My journey into medicine was inspired by a desire to be a change-agent. As an immigrant, I understand the importance of resilience and adaptability—traits that have served me well in my career. I pursued a master’s in business administration, equipping me with the skills to lead in a complex healthcare environment, especially in understanding the power of metrics.

Without a doubt, it is NYU Langone Health’s focus on innovation that has helped create a top-rate hospital medicine team that delivers on providing outstanding patient care, teaching the next generation of physicians and contributing with new ideas to our field.