The North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System has announced it will be known as Northwell Health beginning in January.

Chief Executive Michael Dowling tells Newsday that the name change reflects the expansion of the health system, which now includes 21 hospitals on Long Island, New York City and Westchester.

The current name was formed during the 1997 merger between Long Island Jewish Medical Center and the North Shore Health System.
Dowling says the name often led to confusion, but the new moniker places an emphasis on wellness over disease.

Board Chairman Mark Claster says trustees recognized the need for a new name that wasn’t limiting geographically.

(AP)