Governor Hochul has chosen former New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Mary Bassett, MD, to be the next Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health (DOH). Dr. Bassett, whose appointment is effective December 1, will replace Howard Zucker, MD, JD, who resigned on September 23. The Senate must still confirm Dr. Bassett’s nomination.
Dr. Bassett received an MD from the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and completed her residency at NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem. She also received an MPH from the University of Washington. Dr. Bassett is currently director of the François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University.
Dr. Bassett said in a statement: “The pandemic underscored the importance of public health, while also revealing inequities driven by structural racism. As we move to end the pandemic, we have a unique opportunity to create a state that is more equitable for all New Yorkers.”