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 125 Worth Street in 2013 | |
| Department overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | April 5, 1870; 155 years ago (1870-04-05) |
| Preceding agencies |
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| Jurisdiction | New York City |
| Headquarters | 42-09 28th St Long Island City, NY 11101 |
| Employees | 7,185 (2020[update])[1] |
| Department executive |
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| Child department |
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| Key document | |
| Website | nyc |
TheNew York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (also known asNYC Health) is the department of thegovernment of New York City[2] responsible for public health along with issuing birth certificates, dog licenses, and conducting restaurant inspection and enforcement. TheNew York City Board of Health is part of the department.[3][4] Its regulations are compiled in title 24 of theNew York City Rules (the New York City Health Code). The current Actingcommissioner is Dr.Michelle E. Morse.
The department was initially set up as the Health Committee (later Commission), a quasi-governmental public health group in response to ayellow fever outbreak in Philadelphia in 1793. GovernorJohn Jay made a proclamation on 13 September 1793 to establish this to regulate the ports of the city and ensure proper quarantines. Three days later, the city, under the leadership of MayorRichard Varick, created a tandem committee that ensured both private and commercial needs would be addressed. New York would see additional epidemics in 1795, 1796, 1798, 1799, and 1800, which lead to the creation of the 'New York City Board of Health', which held its first meeting in 1805.[5]
In 1866, the New York State legislature enacted a bill establishing the 'Metropolitan Board of Health', consisting of the four Police Commissioners, four Health Commissioners appointed by the Governor, and the Health Officer for the Port of New York.[6] In 1870, the legislature replaced the Board of Health with the Department of Health, with additional responsibilities including street cleaning and sanitary permits.[7][8]
As of December 1894,Charles G. Wilson was serving as President of the Board of Health.[9]
In 1976, a new department, titled the "Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Alcoholism Services" was established as distinct from the existing Department of Health.[10]
As a result of its consolidation with the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Alcoholism Services, it was renamed the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on July 29, 2002.[11] This merge was first proposed by Mayor Rudy Giuliani in 1998.[12]
In 2021,Michelle E. Morse was named the first Chief Medical Officer of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.[13] She is also currently the Acting Commissioner for the agency.
NYC is organized into 30 health districts, themselves composed of 354 health areas which are sets ofcensus tracts. NYC is also organized into 17 mental health regions.
The departmental hierarchy is:
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On-site security services at the five New York City Health and Mental Hygiene clinics are provided by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (Police). New York City Health and Mental Hygiene (Police) are employed as Special Officers and have very limited peace officer authority in connection with special assignment of employment pursuant to New York State Criminal Procedure Law § 2.10(40) and DOHMH policies. The exercise of these powers are very limited to the employee's geographical area of employment and only while such employee is working only.DOHMH Special Officers are prohibited by New York State Law (Criminal Procedure Law) and employee restriction to carry a firearm.
TheNew York City Police Department (NYPD) is the primary law enforcement agency whose mission is to provide police patrol service and investigate all crimes that occur within New York City which includes all New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene facilities.
The New York City Board of Health is part of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and consists of the commissioner of the department, the chairperson of the department's Mental Hygiene Advisory Board, and nine other members appointed by themayor.[4]
| Members | Titles | Appointed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dave A. Chokshi | MD | August 4, 2020 | Commissioner of Health of the City of New York. |
| Pamela S. Brier | MPH | Maimonides Medical Centerformer CEO. | |
| Sixto R. Caro | MD | NYU School of Medicine clinical assistant professor;NYU Langonephysician. | |
| Joel A. Forman | MD | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinaiprofessor;Mount Sinai Hospital affiliated. | |
| Susan Klitzman | DrPH, MPH,CPH | CUNY School of Public Healthprofessor. | |
| Lynne D. Richardson | MD,FACEP | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinaiprofessor; Mount Sinai Hospital affiliated. | |
| Gail B. Nayowith | MSW | 1digit LLCprincipal. | |
| Rosa M. Gil | DSW | Comunilife Inc.CEO. | |
| Karen B. Redlener | MS | Children's Health Fund executivedirector. | |
| Mitchell H. Katz | MD | NYC Health + Hospitalspresident. |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
