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Ramon Tallaj, M.D., a native of the Dominican Republic and a respected figure in the field of health care, has long been recognized for his commitment to public health and the betterment of communities. Born on January 25, 1956, in Santiago de Los Caballeros, Dr. Tallaj graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Universidad Nacional Pedro Enriquez Ureña (UNPHU) in 1981, setting the stage for a fruitful career.
In the Dominican Republic, Dr. Tallaj served in multiple capacities, including the Under Secretary of Public Health and Social Service and Medical Director of the Social Security and Welfare Institute. His service helped establish a bridge between the Dominican Government and the Catholic Church of New York City, fostering the development of various social programs.
Dr. Tallaj’s journey took him to the United States in 1993, where he commenced his Internship at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital, graduating in Internal Medicine in 1996. Dr. Tallaj’s dedication and professional acumen were evident during his tenure at St Vincent’s Midtown Hospital, where he served as the Associate Medical Director of Ambulatory Service.
In 1997, Dr. Tallaj established his private practice in Washington Heights and has since then been unwavering in his efforts to provide a comprehensive range of medical services to his community. He has served in numerous institutions committed to enhancing the life quality of New York City’s community members. Notable among these is his role as Chairman of the Board of Advocate Community Providers (ACP-PPS), a network of roughly 2,000 health care providers catering to around 1 million patients in New York City.
Dr. Tallaj’s extraordinary dedication to healthcare and public service has been acknowledged with numerous awards, including the “Most Outstanding Dominican in the United States of America,” and the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2006. His reputation as a top physician was further cemented when he was recognized by the Consumer’s Research Council of America in the same year.
Among his various initiatives, the foundation of SOMOs Community Care in 2015 stands out. Established with the aim to empower physicians to deliver high-quality, holistic care to underserved populations, SOMOs Innovation, as it later came to be known, has made significant strides in the realm of health care, implementing full-risk contracts for the Medicaid population and reducing ER and hospital admissions by over 35%.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Tallaj’s leadership was instrumental in operating over 125 trilingual COVID-19 testing sites and providing free testing for over 1.5 million people. His efforts have helped to save millions of lives while highlighting the disproportionate impact of the virus on inner-city communities.
Dr. Tallaj’s contributions extend beyond the medical field. His involvement in the production of the documentary ‘¡Sorpresa! The Pope knocks on the door attests to his broader interests and his philanthropic commitment. Today, as a board-certified internist with 41 years of experience, Dr. Ramon Tallaj continues to inspire with his unwavering dedication to healthcare and his devotion to serving his community.
