Dr. Ashwin Vasan Resigns As NYC Health Commissioner

India-West Staff Reporter

NEW YORK, NY – New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan, widely recognized for guiding the city through a critical phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, announced his resignation on September 23.

Vasan, who has been one of several key officials in troubled Mayor Eric Adams’ s administration which is under an official probe, to step down, clarified that his resignation is unrelated to an ongoing investigation. He cited family as a key factor in his decision. “As anyone with a family—or a chosen family—knows, you are never alone in service. My wife and three young children have served alongside me, bearing the brunt of my absence and shouldering so much. I’m grateful for their love and have chosen that now it is time to support them and their well-being. While this was a hard decision, it was the right one for me and my family,” he explained.

“It has truly been the honor of my lifetime to serve the city I love, where I started and raised a family for nearly 15 years, and to be your Health Commissioner, the city’s doctor to 8.3 million fellow New Yorkers,” Vasan said in a statement. After nearly three years of service, he will leave his role as commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in early January 2025.

Although stepping down from his commissioner duties, Dr. Vasan plans to continue his work as a primary care physician and educator, while also supporting efforts to promote health equity and access.

Reflecting on his tenure, the Indian American emphasized his commitment to public health, “From day one, I have made focus, ambition, and integrity a key part of my leadership. The state of the department and of our public health system is strong. I’m deeply confident that we have put in place critical initiatives to benefit New Yorkers, and we have the right team to continue this important work and keep us safe and healthy for years and generations to come.”

Vasan received his BA in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles; his ScM in Epidemiology from the Harvard School of Public Health; his MD from the University of Michigan; and his PhD in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.