MEET RALPH HERNANDEZ
Born in Morovis, Puerto Rico, Hernandez grew up in the streets of Spanish Harlem. His parents instilled in him the values that drive the American Dream: If you work hard, never quit, and strive for excellence, you will succeed. Those values guided him to the rank of Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps and allowed him to enjoy a 40-year career as a healthcare administrator.
Ralph Hernandez's career as a healthcare professional focused on creating and integrating a population health and accountable care infrastructure across the acute, post-acute, and ambulatory care settings. He has experience in the following:
- CMS value-based care
- managed care contracts
- commercial ACO clinical operations
- physician practice transformation, including NCQA, ACO, PCMH, and Disease Management Accreditation
Ralph is currently the Director of Administration and Medical Services at WNY Medical PC, where he is responsible for planning, organizing, coordinating, and managing medical services. He negotiates Value-Based Payment agreements and works closely with the CEO to achieve Primary and Specialty Care goals.
Previously, Ralph was the Executive Director of Greater Buffalo United Accountable Care Organization (GBUACO), where he was responsible for directing, supervising, and coordinating the overall operations of the ACO. He was also accountable for goals and objectives related to GBUACO's Integrated Delivery Health System, Population Health Management, and Care Coordination Services.
Ralph has also served as the Grant Research/Administrator for the Women and Children's Health Research Foundation and the Marketing Director for Sheehan Memorial Hospital.
Ralph is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Purple Heart recipient who earned an undergraduate degree from Medaille College and graduated from the Buffalo FBI Citizens Academy.
Ralph was elected to the Buffalo Board of Education in 2004 and served as Board President in 2010 and 2011.
Each year a college-bound student enrolled in a college or university program leading to certification as a teacher in any grade or subject, with preference given to those pursuing a bilingual education degree from Western New York, is awarded the Ralph R. Hernandez Bilingual Education Scholarship Award. The scholarship is funded by an endowment created by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo through a generous donation from First Niagara Foundation. All students are welcome to apply by clicking the link below.
https://hispanicheritagewny.org/pdf/HHC-Scholarship-2021.pdf
On Tuesday, November 8, 2022
vote for Ralph R. Hernandez for
New York State Assembly
https://www.onlinecandidate.com/videos/hernandez/Ralph-Hernandez-Candidate-Video.mp4