Mary Bassett, Former NYC Health Commish, Will Be State's Top Doc

New York City NY

29 September, 2021

1:01 PM

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NEW YORK CITY — A former New York City health commissioner is the state's new top doc. Mary T. Bassett will be New York's commissioner of the Department of Public Health starting Dec. 1, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced. "Dr. Bassett is both a highly regarded public health expert and an exemplary public servant, and I look forward to working with her to keep New Yorkers safe and healthy," Hochul said in a statement Wednesday. The appointment puts a prominent New York City public servant into a role held by Howard Zucker, an ally of Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo and Zucker faced widespread criticism and scrutiny over their handling of nursing homes and reporting COVID-19 deaths during the pandemic. The scandal was one of many swirling around Cuomo before he resigned over accusations of sexual harassment. Hochul, his replacement, pledged to oust public officials accused of wrongdoing in service of Cuomo's bidding. Zucker eventually submitted his resignation, with the understanding he'd stay on until his own replacement took charge. Mayor Bill de Blasio, a critic of Cuomo's actions during the pandemic and beyond, hailed Bassett's appointment as a chance to change the state's health department. "We did not get the support we needed, we did not get the cooperation we needed from certain elements, at least, of the state health department under the previous governor," he said. "That needed all to be changed. We needed new leadership for the people in New York City, for the whole state. "Dr. Bassett is an excellent leader — had her as my first health commissioner. She's somebody clearly knows and understands the issues in New York City, and I'm certain will be respectful of the good work being done at the [city] Department of Health and Health + Hospitals."