Get to Know – Gregg Nevola

Can you tell us about your role at Northwell Health and how it supports the organization’s mission?

“As the leader of the benefits function at Northwell, I believe our work is deeply connected to the organization’s mission: improving the health of our communities. At the benefits office, our focus is on enhancing the health and well-being of our team members.

Being one of New York’s largest employers, we know that supporting our employees’ health has a ripple effect—helping to improve the health of their families and, by extension, our communities.

We take a community-oriented approach, not only in how we design our benefits but also in how we deliver care. It’s about more than just employees; it’s about creating a healthier future for everyone connected to Northwell.”

What unique challenges or opportunities do you see in designing rewards programs for healthcare workers?

“For healthcare workers, one of the biggest challenges is meeting their unique and varied needs within the context of a 24/7 profession. Healthcare is not just a job; it’s a passion and a calling for many of our team members.

At Northwell, we recognize the importance of supporting our night shift team members, those who work multiple shifts, as well as our residents, physicians, and nurses. Each group has different needs, and tailoring our benefits programs to address those is critical.

That’s what makes healthcare unique, caring for the caregivers requires a deep understanding of their diverse and around-the-clock needs.”

How does Northwell integrate wellness and mental health into its overall rewards strategy?

“Wellness is at the core of our benefits programs. We’ve long prioritized wellness as a key element of support for our team members. Recently, our TPA on the medical side was acquired by our wellness partner, which has allowed us to integrate these efforts even more effectively. One example is our use of wellness pledges, which help team members reduce the cost of their benefits on each pay cycle—a strategy that reinforces our commitment to their health and well-being.

Our approach also focuses on family. We recognize the importance of family benefits, offering support that spans every stage of life—from family planning and childcare to college savings.

Finally, behavioral health is a cornerstone of our strategy. As an organization, we are deeply committed to addressing the behavioral health needs of our team members and their families. We provide no-cost behavioral care and have actively expanded the recruitment of behavioral health providers into our plan. We’ve also developed an internal virtual behavioral health platform, available at no cost, to ensure our team members have immediate access to care.

These efforts reflect our broader mission: supporting the health of our team members and their families while improving the well-being of our communities. Healthcare is a demanding and often stressful profession, and we strive to be there for our team members when they need us most.”

How has your work with NEBGH influenced your perspective on employee health and benefits?

“What I enjoy most about NEBGH is the opportunity to share and exchange ideas. Even though member organizations operate in different sectors, we share similar goals and aspirations. Through NEBGH, I’ve been able to connect with peers to discuss partners, vendors, and programs, as well as navigate pending legislation. The insights I gain are invaluable—I bring them back to my workplace to enhance the programs we offer our team members.

I also see tremendous value in how engaged my team is with NEBGH initiatives. From the Emerging Leaders Program to the conferences they attend, it’s inspiring to hear their excitement about the ideas and information they’re exposed to.

Another highlight is the chance to meet with vendors at NEBGH conferences—vendors we’ve worked with, heard of, or are interested in collaborating with. These exchanges of ideas and experiences make the events even more impactful and actionable for us.”

What’s a surprising fact about you or a hobby you enjoy outside of work?

Well, this often comes up during icebreakers! I’ve had the unique opportunity to eat at three restaurants featured on Kitchen Nightmares. Unfortunately, all three visits happened before the Gordon Ramsay overhaul, which might say something about my adventurous (or questionable) culinary choices. It definitely makes for a good story, though!