NYAPRS Note: Congratulations to Dr. Ashwin Vasan on his appointment as new NYC Health Commissioner and to Mayor-elect Eric Adams for his wise choice here. As former CEO of one of the world’s leading rehabilitation centers, Fountain House, we would expect that Dr. Vashan will lead the agency towards a much clearer focus on recovery, rehabilitation and rights based policies
Mayor-elect Adams taps new NYC health commissioner, will keep Dr. Chokshi on thru March amid omicron surge
The city’s top doc will stay put for a few more months.
Mayor-elect Eric Adams announced Wednesday that he’s keeping Health Commissioner Dave Chokshi onboard through mid-March to help beat back the city’s omicron-fueled surge of coronavirus infections.
On March 15, Dr. Ashwin Vasan, the CEO of national mental health nonprofit Fountain House, will take over as the city’s top doctor, Adams said.
“We are at a critical moment in our fight against COVID-19. The virus is a formidable opponent, and our city’s response to it must be smart and strong. For the next three months as we get through this surge, Dr. Chokshi will continue the excellent work he is doing now to increase testing capacity, promote vaccinations and boosters, and stop the spread of this virus,” said Adams, who will be sworn in as the next mayor on Jan. 1.
Vasan, who’s also a primary care physician and a professor of family health at Columbia University, will serve as a senior adviser at the Health Department in the interim, allowing him to get up to speed on the inner workings of the city’s pandemic response before he takes over as commissioner, according to Adams’ transition team.
Looking beyond the pandemic, Adams described Vasan as a natural fit for his administration, citing his work in public and mental health.
“We will build on the progress we have made, ensuring that we continue our fight against the pandemic while delivering on my public health priorities, from boosting mental health services to promoting healthy food in city facilities,” he said. “My vow to New Yorkers is simple: Under my leadership, we will make this city safer, healthier, and a better place to raise healthy children and families.”
While vowing to enact Adams’ wider public health agenda, Vasan affirmed that he will primarily be focused on fighting COVID.
“Make no mistake: we will stop the spread of this virus,” Vasan said….