NY Health Commissioner Bassett to step down

Dr. Mary Bassett is stepping down after 13 months as New York”™s health commissioner.

Bassett was appointed in September 2021 by Gov. Kathy Hochul. She previously served as New York City”™s health commissioner from 2014 to 2018, stepping down to become was the director of the FranÃ§ois-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard”™s T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She will be returning to Harvard after her resignation becomes effective on New Year”™s Day.

“I have tremendous admiration for the work our staff has done during a very difficult year responding to covid, mpox, polio and the day-to-day challenges of protecting New Yorkers”™ health,” said Bassett in a statement. “I am leaving now so the next commissioner can have the chance to lead this great department for a full four-year term under the leadership of Gov. Hochul.”