Governor Kathy Hochul has nominated Dr. James V. McDonald to serve as commissioner of the New York State Department of Health.
McDonald has been acting commissioner since Jan. 1 following the resignation of Commissioner Mary Bassett. He joined the department last July as medical director in the Office of Public Health and was later appointed interim director of the Center for Community Health. Prior to this, he spent a decade at the Rhode Island Department of Health where he served in multiple roles including interim director of health and chief administrative officer of the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline. His career also included officership in the U.S. Navy and a medical directorship within the Indian Health Service in the Navajo Nation.
“In the midst of unprecedented public health crises, the New York State Department of Health has done extraordinary work keeping New Yorkers safe and healthy,” Hochul said. “Dr. James V. McDonald is a talented public health leader with the skills and experience necessary to lead our Department of Health. I am proud to nominate him to this critical role, and I look forward to working closely with him to protect the health of all New Yorkers.”
