NYS Department of Health reorganizing

ALBANY, N.Y. (WHEC) — The New York State Department of Health announced on Friday new efforts to better promote and protect the health of all New Yorkers.

A strategic planning effort led by Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett focused on optimizing the department’s talent, workflow and collaboration, the integration of new systems, and increasing diversity as part of its overall mission to build a healthier, more equitable NY

To achieve this goal, the department has established the following:

• Office of Aging & Long Term Care
• Office of Health Equity & Human Rights
• Chief Medical Officer
• Leadership cabinet

Additionally, there will be a prioritization for agency-wide data sharing and use to drive policies as well as a renewed emphasis on regional offices’ engagement with local health departments.

The department’s rebuilding effort landed on five focus areas:

• Invest in our people, bring in new and diverse talent, simplify hiring processes, and create a culture of support and appreciation after the significant sacrifices made during COVID response.
• Shape our organization so that it reflects our focus on health equity, the needs of older New Yorkers, emergency preparedness and response.
• Become more proactive by developing policy coordination and project management capabilities and simplifying critical processes.
• Align public health, insurance and regulatory tools across divisions to maximize impact and improve health outcomes.
• Improve our use of data to advance our mission of improving public health and health equity.

"Public health touches every facet of our lives," State Commissioner of Health Dr. Mary T. Bassett said. "Our new organizational focus and leadership team structure will better position the Department to shape our priorities and delivery systems to improve health access and outcomes for all New Yorkers. The scope of this Department extends beyond traditional public health and comprises a regulatory function for health care delivery institutions and health insurance programs that provide coverage to over one-third of New Yorkers. In my tenure as commissioner, I intend to do my utmost to fulfill our mandate. New Yorkers deserve no less."

The main changes include:

• Creating a new Office of Health Equity & Human Rights. This office will address health disparities and work to improve diversity, equity and inclusion within the Department. It will be comprised of the current offices of Minority Health and Health Disparities Prevention and Language Access, the AIDS Institute, and the Office of Gun Violence Prevention. The new Office of Health Equity & Human Rights will be led by Deputy Commissioner Johanne Morne.
• Creating a new Office of Aging & Long Term Care. This office will develop policies and programs to meet the needs of older New Yorkers and people with disabilities who require long term care services and support. It will be led by Adam Herbst, Deputy Commissioner on Aging & Long Term Care and work collaboratively with the Office of Health Insurance Programs, the Office of Primary Care and Health Systems Management, and the NYS Office for the Aging to coordinate Department activities related to aging New Yorkers. The Office will be responsible for long-term care functions related to licensure, facility surveys, data collection, and policies and analysis. In addition, it will help develop and execute the State Master Plan on Aging to improve the recruitment, retention, and training of long-term care workers, and improve the quality of long-term care.
• Establishing a Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Eugene Heslin will provide medical and clinical expertise to all senior leadership and various Department staff. Dr. Heslin has over 30 years in the field of medicine and is an expert in health care leadership, policy development and operational management centered on improved patient outcomes.
• Creating a new Commissioner’s Cabinet. It will be comprised of dynamic policy and health experts who will report directly to and serve as advisors to State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett on important issues as we develop programs and new policies throughout the Department that will protect, improve, and promote the health of New Yorkers. The
• Executive Cabinet members are: Laura Mascuch, Chief of Staff; Kristin Proud, Acting Executive Deputy Commissioner; Dr. Ursula Bauer, Deputy Commissioner for Public Health; Dr. Eugene Heslin, First Deputy Commissioner and Chief Medical Officer; Sam Miller, Associate Commissioner for External Affairs; Kathy Marks, General Counsel; Amir Bassiri, Deputy Commissioner of the Office of Health Insurance Programs and Acting Medicaid Director; Adam Herbst, Deputy Commissioner Aging & Long Term Care; Dr. John Morley, Deputy Commissioner of Primary Care and Health Systems Management; Johanne Morne, Deputy Commissioner Health Equity and Human Rights; Diane Christensen, Deputy Commissioner Administration; and Danielle Holahan, Executive Director, NY State of Health and Senior Advisors, Megan Baldwin, Paul Francis and Sandra Mullin.
• Strengthening the Regional Offices. There will also be a concerted effort to make sure our regional offices are more integrated into public health policy making and that they prioritize the needs of local health departments. Regional Offices will now be a part of the Office of Public Health, which will strengthen the voice of local perspectives in our policy making and streamline local policy and program implementation.

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