Commissioner of Health of the City of New York explained

Post:Commissioner of Health of the City of New York
Incumbent:Ashwin Vasan
Department:New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Member Of:Government of New York City
Reports To:New York City Deputy Mayor, Health and Human Services
Appointer:Mayor of New York City
Constituting Instrument:New York City Charter
Named For:The City of New York
First:Joseph Bosworth
Unofficial Names:New York City Health Commissioner
Deputy:Dr. Torian Easterling [1]

The commissioner of health of the City of New York is the head of the city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The commissioner is appointed by the Mayor of New York City, and also serves on the city's Board of Health with the chairperson of the Department's Mental Hygiene Advisory Board and nine other members appointed by the mayor.[2] [3] [4]

History

The Metropolitan Board of Health, which was the predecessor agency to the Department of Health and consisted of sanitary and vital statistics bureaus, had its first meeting on March 5, 1866.[5] The modern Department of Health, under a single commissioner, was formed by the New York City Charter revision pursuant to Chapter 137 of the Laws of 1870 passed by the New York State legislature. In the early years after its formation, commissioners were sometimes political appointments, with no experience in medicine or related fields.[6] In 2002, the Department of Health was merged with the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Alcoholism Services to form the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Qualifications

City regulations currently require that the commissioner of health must be a doctor of medicine, and have either

Duties

According to the New York City Charter, the commissioner is broadly responsible for preparing plans for construction and operation of medical and health care facilities and establishing their priorities, has the power to compel the testimony of witnesses and produce reports and documents in matters regarding health, and assess penalties up to $1,000 for violations or failures to comply with health notices or regulations.[8] These duties involve regulating and overseeing matters ranging from reportable contagious diseases,[9] to registration of birth and deaths,[10] restaurant inspections,[11] selling food from carts,[12] selling tobacco products to minors and monitoring of smoking in public areas,[13] regulation of wild animals,[14] and sending health alerts to the public and doctors.[15]

List of commissioners of health of the City of New York

Name Dates in office Mayoral administration
1 Joseph Bosworth[16] April 27, 1870 – May 8, 1873 Abraham Oakey Hall
2 May 8, 1873 – June 12, 1883 William F. Havemeyer, Samuel B. H. Vance, William H. Wickham,
Smith Ely, Jr., Edward Cooper, William Russell Grace, Franklin Edson
3 Alexander Shaler[18] [19] June 13, 1883 – March 7, 1887 Franklin Edson, William Russell Grace, Abram S. Hewitt
vacant[20] March 7, 1887 – March 14, 1887 Abram S. Hewitt
4 James C. Bayles[21] March 14, 1887 – May 1889 Abram S. Hewitt, Hugh J. Grant
5 Charles G. Wilson[22] May 1889 – January 1, 1898 Hugh J. Grant, Thomas F. Gilroy, William L. Strong
6 Nathan Straus[23] [24] January 1, 1898 – March 3, 1898 Robert Van Wyck
7 Michael Cotter Murphy[25] [26] March 3, 1898 – February 22, 1901 Robert Van Wyck
8 John B. Sexton[27] [28] February 22, 1901 – January 1, 1902 Robert Van Wyck
9 Ernst J. Lederle,[29] [30] Ph.D. January 1, 1902 – January 1, 1904 Seth Low
10 January 1, 1904 – January 9, 1910 George B. McClellan, Jr.
11 Ernst J. Lederle,[33] Ph.D. January 9, 1910 – January 19, 1914 William J. Gaynor, Ardolph L. Kline
12 Sigismund Schulz Goldwater,[34] [35] M.D. January 19, 1914 – November 1, 1915 John P. Mitchel
13 Haven G. Emerson,[36] M.D. November 1, 1915 – January 15, 1918 John P. Mitchel
14 J. Lewis Amster,[37] [38] M.D. January 15, 1918 – April 29, 1918 John F. Hylan
15 Royal S. Copeland,[39] [40] M.D. April 29, 1918 – March 7, 1923 John F. Hylan
16 Frank J. Monaghan,[41] M.D. March 7, 1923 – January 1, 1926 John F. Hylan
17 Louis I. Harris,[42] [43] M.D. January 1, 1926 – August 1, 1928 Jimmy Walker
18 Shirley W. Wynne,[44] [45] [46] M.D. August 1, 1928 – August 17, 1928 (acting)
August 17, 1928 – January 1, 1934
Jimmy Walker, Joseph V. McKee, John P. O'Brien
19 John L. Rice,[47] M.D. January 1, 1934 – July 16, 1942 Fiorello H. La Guardia
20 Ernest Lyman Stebbins,[48] [49] M.D. July 16, 1942 – March 4, 1946 Fiorello H. La Guardia, William O'Dwyer
21 Edward M. Bernecker,[50] [51] M.D. March 4, 1946 – March 13, 1946 William O'Dwyer
22 Israel Weinstein,[52] [53] M.D. March 13, 1946 – November 3, 1947 William O'Dwyer
23 Harry Stoll Mustard,[54] [55] M.D. November 3, 1947 – January 1, 1950 William O'Dwyer
24 John Friend Mahoney,[56] [57] M.D. January 1, 1950 – January 1, 1954 William O'Dwyer, Vincent R. Impellitteri
25 Leona Baumgartner,[58] [59] [60] M.D. January 1, 1954 – October 2, 1962 Robert F. Wagner, Jr.
26 George James,[61] [62] [63] M.D., M.P.H. October 2, 1962 – October 30, 1962 (acting)
October 30, 1962 – October 1965
Robert F. Wagner, Jr.
John R. Philp,[64] M.D. October 1965 – January 14, 1966 (acting) Robert F. Wagner, Jr., John V. Lindsay
Arthur Bushel,[65] D.D.S., M.P.H. January 14, 1966 – June 1, 1966 (acting)John V. Lindsay
27 Howard Junior Brown,[66] [67] M.D. June 1, 1966 – December 15, 1966 John V. Lindsay
28 Edward O'Rourke,[68] [69] M.D. December 15, 1966 – May 28, 1969 John V. Lindsay
29 Mary C. McLaughlin,[70] M.D., M.P.H. May 28, 1969 – January 17, 1972 John V. Lindsay
30 Joseph Anthony Cimino,[71] [72] M.D., M.P.H. January 17, 1972 – January 7, 1974 John V. Lindsay
31 Lowell E. Bellin,[73] [74] M.D., M.P.H. January 7, 1974 – January 3, 1977 Abraham D. Beame
32 Pascal James Imperato,[75] M.D., M.P.H., T.M. January 3, 1977 – March 31, 1978 Abraham D. Beame
33 Reinaldo Antonio Ferrer,[76] [77] M.D., M.P.H. March 31, 1978 – November 28, 1981 Edward I. Koch
34 David Judson Sencer,[78] [79] M.D., M.P.H. November 28, 1981 – March 11, 1986 Edward I. Koch
35 Stephen C. Joseph,[80] M.D., M.P.H. March 11, 1986 – March 30, 1990 Edward I. Koch
36 Woody Myers, Jr.,[81] [82] M.D., M.B.A. March 30, 1990 – June 11, 1991 David N. Dinkins
37 Margaret Hamburg,[83] [84] M.D. June 11, 1991 – December 24, 1991 (acting)
December 24, 1991 – April 15, 1997
David Dinkins, Rudolph W. Giuliani
Benjamin Mojica,[85] [86] [87] M.D. April 15, 1997 – January 14, 1998 (acting) Rudolph W. Giuliani
38 Neal L. Cohen,[88] M.D. January 14, 1998 – end of January, 2002 Rudolph W. Giuliani
39 Thomas R. Frieden,[89] M.D., M.P.H. end of January, 2002 – May 15, 2009 Michael R. Bloomberg
40 Thomas A. Farley,[90] M.D., M.P.H. May 18, 2009 – January 16, 2014 Michael R. Bloomberg
41 Mary Travis Bassett,[91] [92] M.D., M.P.H. January 16, 2014 – August 31, 2018 Bill de Blasio
42 Oxiris Barbot,[93] [94] [95] M.D.September 1, 2018 – December 19, 2018 (acting)
December 19, 2018 – August 4, 2020
Bill de Blasio
43 Dave A. Chokshi,[96] M.D. August 4, 2020 – March 15, 2022
44 Ashwin Vasan,[97] M.D. March 15, 2022 – current Eric Adams

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dr. Torian Easterling Appointed First Deputy Commissioner, Chief Equity Officer - NYC Health . www1.nyc.gov . New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene . 8 December 2020.
  2. Web site: List of Commissioners. www.nyc.gov. New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. 8 December 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151210214634/http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/about/bicentennial-commissioners.shtml. 10 December 2015. dead.
  3. Web site: Protecting Public Health in New York City: 200 Years of Leadership 1805-2005. www.nyc.gov/. New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. 8 December 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304194640/http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/bicentennial/historical-booklet.pdf. 4 March 2016. dead.
  4. Web site: New York City Board of Health. nyc.gov. New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. 18 December 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151218023046/http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/about/boh.shtml. 18 December 2015. dead.
  5. News: City Health Board to Mark 75th Year – La Guardia, Rice and Six Ex-Commissioners to Take Part in Ceremonies Wednesday – Agency Had Two Bureaus – Now Has 11 and Personnel of 2,700 – Ten-Year Civic Fight Preceded Establishment. 22 December 2015. The New York Times. March 2, 1941. 44.
  6. News: Grant Picks Out New Men – He Makes Many Changes in City Offices – Men Unknown in Public Life Appointed to Responsible Places – Politicians Displeased. 12 December 2015. The New York Times. May 3, 1889. 1.
  7. Web site: Public Portal to the Laws of the City of New York, chapter 22, section 551. lawsofnyc.com. City of New York. 22 December 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20151223072306/http://72.45.128.254/nyc/charter/Charter_Chapter22Section%20551.asp. 23 December 2015.
  8. Web site: Public Portal to the Laws of the City of New York, chapter 22, section 555. lawsofnyc.com. City of New York. 22 December 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151223091620/http://72.45.128.254/nyc/charter/Charter_Chapter22Section%20555.asp. 23 December 2015. dead.
  9. Web site: Health Data Publications. nyc.gov. New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. 18 December 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151222110053/http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/data/data-publications.shtml. 22 December 2015. dead.
  10. Web site: Data and Statistics. nyc.gov. New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. 18 December 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151210083427/http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/data/vs.shtml. 10 December 2015. dead.
  11. Web site: Food and Restaurants. nyc.gov. New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. 18 December 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151220154008/http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/licenses/food-restaurants.shtml. 20 December 2015. dead.
  12. Web site: Mobile Food Vendor Permit Checklist. nyc.gov. New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. 18 December 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304213405/http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/permit/mfv_permit_appl.pdf. 4 March 2016. dead.
  13. Web site: Smoking Legislation. nyc.gov. New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. 18 December 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151222142716/http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/food/smoke-law.shtml. 22 December 2015. dead.
  14. Web site: New York City Health Code – Article 161. nyc.gov. New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. 18 December 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304203137/http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/about/healthcode/health-code-article161.pdf. 4 March 2016. dead.
  15. Web site: Health Alerts. nyc.gov. New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. 18 December 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151222103224/https://a816-health30ssl.nyc.gov/sites/NYCHAN/webpages/home.aspx. 22 December 2015. dead.
  16. News: Board of Health – Progress of the Organization – Judge Bosworth Chosen President – Dismissal of Employees – Routine Proceedings. 10 December 2015. The New York Times. April 28, 1870. 8.
  17. News: Common Council – The Mayor's Nominations Confirmed – Resolutions of Respect to the Late Chief-Justice Chase. 10 December 2015. The New York Times. May 9, 1873. 2.
  18. News: Gen. Shaler Confirmed – The Aldermen and the New Health Commissioner. 10 December 2015. The New York Times. June 14, 1883. 8.
  19. News: Gen. A. Shaler Dead in His 84th Year – Distinguished Civil War Veteran and Long Prominent in State National Guard – Ex-Head of Health Board – Also Former Fire Commissioner – President of Association of Union Ex-Prisoners of War. 23 December 2015. The New York Times. December 28, 1911. 9.
  20. News: Gen. Shaler's Position – Reserving His Rights to Protest Against Removal. 12 December 2015. New York Times. March 8, 1887. 8.
  21. News: In Gen. Shaler's Place – James C. Bayles Appointed and the Politicians Not Satisfied. 10 December 2015. The New York Times. March 15, 1887. 8.
  22. News: Mayor Grant's Appointments. 10 December 2015. The New York Times. May 3, 1889. 4.
  23. News: The New City Officials – As Announced by Mayor Van Wyck, the Slate Contains Some Surprises – Politicians Are Puzzled – Friends of Hugh J. Grant Seem to be Intentionally Ignored – The List as Given Out Yesterday. 10 December 2015. The New York Times. January 2, 1898. 1.
  24. News: Nathan Straus Dies; Nation Mourns Loss of Philanthropist – End Comes in 83d Year After Illness That Began With Wife's Death Eight Months Ago – Two Children at Bedside – Third Is Summoned From Paris – Simple Funeral Tomorrow to Be Open to Public – Hoover Leads in Tributes – World-Wide Benefactions and Work for Zionism Extolled by Leaders In Many Fields. 25 December 2015. The New York Times. January 12, 1931. 1.
  25. News: Commissioner Straus Out – President of the Board of Health Says His Business Needs Attention – Col. Murphy His Successor – Story that Mayor Van Wyck's Criticism of the Department's Affairs Is Responsible for the Resignation Is Disputed by Mr. Straus. 10 December 2015. The New York Times. March 4, 1898. 12.
  26. News: Death of Col. Murphy – Ex-Police Commissioner Succumbs to Old Stomach Trouble – His Civil War Record and Varied Career in New York City Democratic Politics. 16 December 2015. The New York Times. March 5, 1903. 9.
  27. News: Col. Murphy New Head of Police Force – Appoints Devery as His First Deputy Commissioner – Gov. Odell Indignant – Thinks Ex-Chief's Retention Is An Affront and May Remove the Mayor – John B. Sexton President of the Health Board. 9 December 2015. The New York Times. February 23, 1901. 1.
  28. News: John B. Sexton, Ex-Sheriff, Dead – Former Police and Health Commissioner Was a Power in Tammany Ten Years Ago – Leader of Old Nineteenth – But Defeated In 1903 by James J. Hagan, Who Routed "Old Timers" with Backing of Murphy. 22 December 2015. The New York Times. April 2, 1910. 11.
  29. News: New Chiefs in Control. 9 December 2015. The New York Times. January 2, 1902. 14.
  30. News: Dr. E.J. Lederle Dies in Sanitarium – Man Twice City Health Commissioner Passed Away March 7 – Wife's Death Recent. 22 December 2015. The New York Times. March 15, 1921. 11.
  31. News: New Mayor In Office – Col. McClellan's Address In Taking Over City Government – Promises to Administer Affairs in the Interest of All the People – Compliments His Predecessor on the Esteem Which He Has Earned. 9 December 2015. The New York Times. January 2, 1904. 14.
  32. News: Darlington Dead; Health Crusader – Former City Commissioner Grand Sachem of Tammany, Stricken Up-State at 86 A Colorful Career Established Tubercular Institution. 22 December 2015. The New York Times. August 24, 1945. 19.
  33. News: Stover, Parks Head; Lederle Is Placed – Dr. Darlington Superseded, as He Had Been Only Nominal Head of Health Department – Murphy Succeeds Butler – New Tenement House Commissioner Active in Reform Politics – Tammany Again Ignored by Mayor Gaynor. 10 December 2015. The New York Times. January 10, 1910. 1.
  34. News: Goldwater Heads Board of Health – Dr. Lederle's Successor Known as Expert on Affairs of Hospitals – At Mount Sinai Ten Years – Mayor Expects to Name Water Commissioner and Corporation Counsel This Week. 10 December 2015. The New York Times. January 20, 1914. 6.
  35. News: Dr. S.S. Goldwater is Dead Here at 69 – Ex-Commissioner of Hospitals World Authority on Building and Administration – Overhauled City System – Sponsor of '3-Cents-a-Day Plan' to Insure Care – An Ex-Health Department Chief. 22 December 2015. The New York Times. October 23, 1942. 21.
  36. News: To Continue Health Rules – Dr. Emerson, New Commissioner, To Begin His Service Tomorrow. 10 December 2015. The New York Times. October 31, 1915. 18.
  37. News: Dr. Amster Head of Health Board – Hylan Appoints President of Bronx County Medical Society in Emerson's Place – Friend of Arthur Murphy – Mayor Directs Department Heads to Select Employees from Civil Service Lists. 10 December 2015. The New York Times. January 16, 1918. 16.
  38. News: Dr. J Lewis Amster, Surgeon, Ex-Health Commissioner, Dead. 22 December 2015. The New York Times. May 5, 1960. 35.
  39. News: Assailing Hylan, Dr. Amster Quits As Health Head – Resigns Rather Than Remove Physicians of Advisory Council on Mayor's Order – Dr. Copeland in His Place – Retiring Executive Warns Hylan That "Present Chaos" Portends Federal Intervention – Mayor Will Not Change – He "Doesn't Give a Darn," and Will Run the Department as He Sees Fit. 10 December 2015. The New York Times. April 30, 1918. 1.
  40. News: Senator Copeland Dies in Washington; Overwork Factor – Suffered Circulatory Collapse After Leaving Floor Just Before Adjournment – Committee Tasks Taxing – Political Effect of the Senator's Passing Likely to Be Large. 21 December 2015. The New York Times. June 18, 1938. 1.
  41. News: Dr. F.J. Monaghan Succeeds Copeland – Is Appointed and Sworn In by Hylan as Health Commissioner – In City's Employ 5 Years – Served as Sanitary Superintendent – Is Neighbor of the Mayor In Brooklyn. 10 December 2015. March 8, 1923. 19. The New York Times.
  42. News: Walker Now Mayor – Dr. Louis I. Harris Named Health Head – New Mayor Picks Aids for All Posts but One – Formal Induction at Noon – Satisfied With Selections – Many Hylan Heads Retained – McCooey and Connelly Fare Well in Job Distribution. Nicholson to Stay a Year – Corporation Counsel Then to Quit on a Pension – Senator Downing Expected to Succeed Him. 10 December 2015. The New York Times. January 1, 1926. 1.
  43. News: Dr. Louis I. Harris Dies Here at 56 – Former Health Commissioner Served More Than 20 Years in the City Department – Began Practice in 1905 – Founded Industrial Hygiene Division – Was a Graduate of Columbia – Native of Austria. 21 December 2015. The New York Times. January 6, 1939. 21.
  44. News: Dr. Harris to Join Dairy Corporation – Health Commissioner Resigns to Be Consulting Expert for National Products – To Get $5,000 City Pension – No Political Pressure, He Says – Will Quit in Month – Talks to Walker in California. 10 December 2015. The New York Times. July 24, 1928. 1.
  45. News: Dr. Wynne Is Named City Health Chief – Walker Swears In the Deputy Commissioner to Succeed Dr. Harris, Who Retires – Praises Latter's Service – New Bureau Head Says He Will Continue Board's Policies Without Major Changes - He May Win Hospital Post – Department to Be Formed in Fall and His Work in That Field Is Said to Have Pleased Mayor – May Head Hospital Department – Department to Be Formed in Fall and His Work in That Field is Said to Have Pleased Mayor. 10 December 2015. The New York Times. August 18, 1928. 15.
  46. News: Dr. Shirley Wynne Dead Here at 59 – Health Commissioner, 1928-33, Under Walker and.O'Brien, Stricken After Operation – In Department 26 Years – Fought Racketeering in Milk Industry – Aided Boy Scout and Child Health Work. 21 December 2015. The New York Times. April 20, 1942. 21.
  47. News: LaGuardIia Moves to Clean Up City; Starts Hunt for Graft in Bureaus; Tammany Organizes the Alderman – Mayor Swears in Aides – Tells Each to Remove 'Every One' if Needed to Get Efficiency – Pledges Them Free Hand – Politicians No Longer Will Interfere With Prisons or Relief, He Says – First Day Is Strenuous – New Executive Leaves Home at 8:28 A.M., Does Not Quit City Hall Till 6:30.. 10 December 2015. The New York Times. January 2, 1934. 1.
  48. News: Stebbins Sworn In As Health Officer – Columbia University Man Succeeds Dr. Rice, Who Is Ill, As Commissioner. 10 December 2015. The New York Times. July 17, 1942. 13.
  49. News: Cook. Joan. Ernest L. Stebbins, Expert on Public Health. 21 December 2015. The New York Times. May 9, 1987.
  50. News: Bernecker Named City Health Head – Mayor Ignores Proposals of the Parran Committee – Jacobs Gets the Hospital Post – Both Men Are Sworn In – Stebbins Was to Have Stayed Until July 1, But O'Dwyer Displeasure Is Reported. 10 December 2015. The New York Times. March 5, 1946. 27.
  51. News: Dr. Bernecker, 63, of Bellevue, Dies – Hospital Administrator of N.Y.U. Center Formerly Headed City Institutions. 21 December 2015. The New York Times. June 28, 1955. 27.
  52. News: Bernecker Quits City Health Post; Gets Old Job Back – O'Dwyer Reappoints Resigned Commissioner to Return as Head Of Hospitals – Weinstein Is In Charge – He Is Picked to Serve Until a Permanent Man Is Chosen – Jacobs Back to Bellevue. 10 December 2015. The New York Times. March 14, 1946. 1.
  53. News: Israel Weinstein, City's Health Chief. 21 December 2015. May 29, 1975. 38. The New York Times.
  54. News: Potter. Robert W.. Weinstein Resigns; Mustard Becomes City Health Head – Commissioner, Due to Retire Soon, Resumes Lower Post – Department Under Inquiry – Gives 'Personal Reasons' – Successor, a Columbia Dean, Plans to Bring More Benefits of Research to Public. 10 December 2015. The New York Times. November 4, 1947. 1.
  55. News: Harry Mustard, Physician, 77, Dies -. 21 December 2015. The New York Times. August 6, 1966. 23.
  56. News: Crowell. Paul. O'Dwyer Sworn In; Gives $15,000 Post to Campaign Aide = Jerry Finkelstein Is Appointed to Chairmanship of City Planning Commission – 120 See Brief Ceremony – Its Scene Is Gracie Mansion – Few Names Appear in List of 58 Job Selectons. 10 December 2015. The New York Times. January 1, 1950. 1.
  57. News: Dr. Mahoney Dies; Ex-City Official – Health Commissioner, '49-54, Developed Treatment of Syphilis With Penicillin. 21 December 2015. The New York Times. February 24, 1957. 84.
  58. News: Fowle. Farnsworth. Wagner Names 2 Women To Cabinet – Dr. Baumgartner and Magistrate Kross to Head Departments. 10 December 2015. The New York Times. January 1, 1954. 1.
  59. News: Senate Confirms Thompson as Ambassador at Large. 11 December 2015. The New York Times. October 3, 1962. 12.
  60. News: Fowler. Glenn. Dr. Leona Baumgartner, 88, Dies; Led New York Health Department. 21 December 2015. The New York Times. January 17, 1991. B10.
  61. News: 12 Diphtheria Cases Are Feared in City. 22 December 2015. The New York Times. October 9, 1962. 18.
  62. News: Brooklyn Clinic To Aid Children – Emergency Center Planned – Dr. James Sworn In. 10 December 2015. The New York Times. October 31, 1962. 24.
  63. News: Dr. George James Dead at 56; Mt. Sinai Medical School Dean – Former Health Commissioner Was a Blue Cross Director and Hospital President. 21 December 2015. The New York Times. March 20, 1972. 40.
  64. News: Acting City Health Chief To Take Missouri Post. 11 December 2015. The New York Times. December 1, 1965. 49.
  65. News: Dentist To Head City Health Agency. 12 December 2015. The New York Times. January 15, 1966. 9.
  66. News: Rusk, M.D.. Howard A.. City Health Milestone – The Patient as a Whole Human Being Is New Administrator's Special Interest. 11 December 2015. The New York Times. June 5, 1966. 49.
  67. News: Dr. Howard J. Brown, 50, Dies; First City Health Services Chief – Lindsay Appointee Disclosed Homosexuality in '73 and Set Up Gay Task Force. 21 December 2015. The New York Times. February 3, 1975. 24.
  68. News: A New Commissioner – Dr. Edward O'Rourke. 11 December 2015. The New York Times. February 18, 1967. 16.
  69. News: O'Rourke Quits City Health Post To Take a Deanship in Hawaii – Mayor Omits Praise in His Letter of Acceptance – Two Differed on Garbage Strike. 21 December 2015. The New York Times. May 17, 1969. 17.
  70. News: Tolchin. Martin. Health Post Goes To Woman – Dr. Mary McLaughlin to be Named by Mayor Today. 11 December 2015. The New York Times. May 28, 1969. 28.
  71. News: Administrative Post Is Going To Dr. McLaughlin. 11 December 2015. The New York Times. January 7, 1972. 39.
  72. News: Konigsberg. Eric. Dr. Joseph Cimino, 73, Dies; Was Leader in Public Health. 21 December 2015. The New York Times. July 8, 2007. A17.
  73. News: Carroll. Maurice. Beame to Name Another Black Deputy Mayor. 11 December 2015. The New York Times. January 8, 1974. 19.
  74. News: van Gelder. Lawrence. Lowell Bellin, 68, Specialist In Public Health for Beame. 12 December 2015. The New York Times. July 15, 1997.
  75. News: Metropolitan Briefs – New Health Chief Sworn. 11 December 2015. The New York Times. January 4, 1977. 31.
  76. News: Sullivan. Ronald. Koch Names Schupf Health Services Administrator. 11 December 2015. The New York Times. March 8, 1978. A21.
  77. News: Saxon. Wolfgang. Reinaldo Ferrer, 82, Educator and Ex-New York City Health Chief. 21 December 2015. The New York Times. October 15, 1998.
  78. News: Sullivan. Ronald. Ex-Head of Federal Disease Center Named City Health Commissioner. 11 December 2015. The New York Times. November 29, 1981.
  79. News: David J. Sencer Dies at 86; Led Disease-Control Agency. 21 December 2015. The New York Times. May 4, 2011. A27.
  80. News: Nix. Crystal. Koch Names An Official of Unicef City's New Health Commissioner. 11 December 2015. The New York Times. March 12, 1986.
  81. News: Purdum. Todd S.. Despite Protests, Dinkins Chooses Indiana Official as Health Chief. 25 December 2015. The New York Times. January 20, 1991. 1.
  82. News: Lee. Felicia. Amid Discord, Myers Quits as Health Commissioner. 11 December 2015. The New York Times. May 29, 1991. B1.
  83. News: Navarro. Mireya. New Health Commissioner Is Appointed. 11 December 2015. The New York Times. December 25, 1991. 35.
  84. News: Fireston. David. Health Chief Quits to Take Job as Adviser In Washington. 11 December 2015. The New York Times. March 22, 1997. 26.
  85. News: Mojica. Benjamin. Rautenberg. Ellen. Racial Gap Narrows For AIDS Treatments (letter to the editor). 13 December 2015. The New York Times. August 2, 1997.
  86. News: Stout. David. Whatever Happened to John?. 13 December 2015. The New York Times. September 21, 1997.
  87. News: Toy. Vivian S.. After 2-Year Hiatus, Soap Opera on AIDS Returns to the Subways. 13 December 2015. The New York Times. September 30, 1997.
  88. News: Sengupta. Somini. Giuliani Calls For a Merger Of 2 Agencies. 11 December 2015. The New York Times. January 15, 1998.
  89. News: Cooper. Michael. Bloomberg Appoints Five To Be City Commissioners. 12 December 2015. The New York Times. December 28, 2001.
  90. News: Chen. David W.. Tulane Doctor Is Expected to Lead Health Dept.. 12 December 2015. The New York Times. May 16, 2009. A27.
  91. News: Taylor. Kate. De Blasio Names Ex-Bloomberg Official as Health Chief, but Vows New Approach. 12 December 2015. The New York Times. January 17, 2014. A18.
  92. Web site: About Us – Mary Travis Bassett, M.D., M.P.H.. nyc.gov. New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. 18 December 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160220093936/http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/about/commish-bio.shtml. 2016-02-20. dead.
  93. News: LaMantia . Jonathan . City health commissioner leaving for Harvard – Dr. Mary Bassett served in a high-profile role fighting health disparities and disease outbreaks . September 5, 2018 . Crain's New York Business . August 2, 2018.
  94. News: Jorgensen . Jillian . Dr. Oxiris Barbot named New York City health commissioner . 14 February 2019 . New York Daily News . December 19, 2019.
  95. News: Goodman . J. David . N.Y.C. Health Commissioner Resigns After Clashes With Mayor Over Virus . 8 August 2020 . The New York Times . August 5, 2020. A1.
  96. News: Emma G.. Fitzsimmons. Mental Health Expert Will Lead New York's Pandemic Response. The New York Times. 22 December 2021.
  97. Web site: Brosnan. Erica. New health commissioner advises city to stay cautious in next stage of pandemic. March 17, 2022. March 17, 2022.