Mary T. Bassett

File:Mary T. Bassett'79

Mary T. Bassett is an American public health expert and physician. She has made significant contributions to the field of public health, particularly in addressing health disparities and promoting health equity.

Early Life and Education

Mary T. Bassett was born in New York City. She earned her B.A. in History and Science from Harvard University. She later received her M.D. from Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons. Bassett also holds a M.P.H. from the University of Washington.

Career

Early Career

Bassett began her career working in Harlem, New York, where she focused on community health and health disparities. She later moved to Zimbabwe, where she worked for nearly two decades on HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment programs.

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

In 2014, Bassett was appointed as the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. During her tenure, she implemented numerous initiatives aimed at reducing health disparities, including efforts to combat chronic diseases, mental health issues, and substance abuse.

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

After leaving her position as Commissioner, Bassett joined the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health as the Director of the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights. In this role, she continued her work on health equity and human rights.

New York State Department of Health

In 2021, Bassett was appointed as the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health. She has continued to focus on addressing health disparities and promoting public health initiatives across the state.

Contributions to Public Health

Bassett is known for her advocacy for health equity and her efforts to address the social determinants of health. She has been a vocal proponent of policies aimed at reducing health disparities and improving the health of marginalized communities.

Awards and Honors

Throughout her career, Bassett has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to public health, including recognition from various public health organizations and academic institutions.

Personal Life

Bassett is married and has two children. She continues to reside in New York City.

See Also

• Public health
• Health equity
• Social determinants of health
• New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
• Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health