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| Neal L. Cohen, MD
Executive Director, AMDeC Center on Biodefense;
former New York City Commissioner of Health Leadership's Role in Helping New Yorkers Prevail after 9/11 [Transcript • Slides] |
Speaker Biography Appointed by Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, Dr. Neal L. Cohen served as the Commissioner of Health of New York City for four years from February 1998 to 2002. While Commissioner, Dr. Cohen oversaw the public health responses to several major crises unprecedented in the history of New York City or the nation. The West Nile virus outbreak, a disease that had never previously appeared in the Western hemisphere, the consequences of the the World Trade Center tragedy, and the outbreaks of anthrax due to bioterrorism posed enormous challenges to public health. Dr. Cohen also served during this period as New York City's Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Alcoholism Services since his appointment in March 1996 through January 2002. As an advocate for incorporating mental health into the mainstream of the public health agenda, Dr. Cohen was a proponent for the merger of both the Health and Mental Health departments into a unified Department of Public Health which was approved by NYC voters in November 2001. Dr. Cohen was able to successfully put the vision of an integrated public health model into practice following the tragedy of September 11th. Crisis counselors worked side by side with physicians, nurses, and medical epidemiologists at the media outlets receiving bioterrorist threats and the Family Support Center in order to address both the physical and mental well-being of affected New Yorkers. Following the events of 9/11, Dr. Cohen oversaw the establishment of the Project Liberty initiative in the City to ensure that New Yorkers receive support services, counseling, and treatments as necessary to address the impact of the trauma. He has been a strong advocate to bring mental health professionals into community settings that would offer greater outreach and de-stigmatize the acceptance of mental health care.
In February 2002, Dr. Cohen became the Executive Director of a newly created Center on Bioterrorism formed by a consortium of 39 of New York State's major medical schools, academic health centers and research institutions. The Center's goals are to lead a partnership with industry, academia, government agencies, and the public to improve our understanding of the threats posed by bioterrorism and the planning/research required to mitigate those threats. [return to top] |
