Mary T. Bassett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Bassett
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| Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health |
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| In office December 1, 2021 – December 31, 2022 |
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| Governor | Kathy Hochul |
| Preceded by | Howard Zucker |
| Succeeded by | James V. McDonald |
| Commissioner of the New York City Department of Health |
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| In office January 16, 2014 – August 31, 2018 |
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| Mayor | Bill de Blasio |
| Preceded by | Thomas Farley |
| Succeeded by | Oxiris Barbot |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 12, 1952 |
| Residences | Albany, New York, U.S. |
| Education | Harvard University (BA) Columbia University (MD) University of Washington (MPH) |
| Awards | Calderone Prize (2016) |
Mary Travis Bassett is an American doctor and public health expert. She served as the 17th Health Commissioner for the New York State Department of Health. Governor Kathy Hochul chose her for this important job in September 2021. She held the position until December 2022.
Before that, from 2014 to 2018, Dr. Bassett was the commissioner for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Currently, she leads the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University. She is also a professor at the Harvard School of Public Health. Dr. Bassett is also a professor of clinical epidemiology at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.
Contents
Mary Bassett's Early Life and Education
Growing Up in New York City
Mary Bassett grew up in New York City. She went to the Ethical Culture Fieldston School. Her father, Dr. Emmett W. Bassett, was a chemist. He was the first African American researcher in dairy technology. Her mother, Priscilla Bassett, was a librarian and an activist. Mary Bassett identifies as African American.
Her College and Medical Training
Dr. Bassett studied history and science at Harvard University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1974. She then went to medical school at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. She received her Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree in 1979.
Later, she earned a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in 1985. This degree focused on health policy research from the University of Washington. She completed her medical training at Harlem Hospital Center.
Mary Bassett's Career in Public Health
Working in Zimbabwe and New York City
From 1985 to 2002, Dr. Bassett lived in Zimbabwe. During this time, she was a medical professor at the University of Zimbabwe. In 2002, she returned to New York City. She became the deputy commissioner for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. This was at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Starting in 2009, she directed a program for the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. This program focused on health in Africa.
Leading New York City's Health Department
In January 2014, Bill de Blasio, the mayor of New York City, appointed her. She became the New York City Health Commissioner. This was a very big job. She helped lead the city's response to the Ebola virus cases in the United States in 2014. She also informed New Yorkers about outbreaks of Legionnaire's disease.
In February 2015, she wrote an article for the New England Journal of Medicine. It discussed how racial discrimination can harm the health of African Americans.
Speaking Out for Health Equity
In November 2015, Dr. Bassett gave a TEDMED talk. The talk was titled "Why your doctor should care about social justice." She shared her experiences with the AIDS epidemic in Zimbabwe. She helped set up a clinic there to treat people and teach them about the virus.
Dr. Bassett said she wished she had spoken out more against unfair systems in Zimbabwe. She believes similar problems exist in the United States today. As New York City's Health Commissioner, she used her position to support health equity. She also spoke out against racism.
Awards and Recognition
In October 2016, Dr. Bassett received the Frank A. Calderone Prize. This award is given by the Mailman School of Public Health. It is a very important honor in public health in the United States.
In 2017, Dr. Bassett was chosen to be a member of the National Academy of Medicine. This is a highly respected group of health experts.
She left her role as New York City Health Commissioner in 2018. Oxiris Barbot took over her position.
