Dr.Dave A Chokshi, a 39-year-old Indian-origin physician with expertise in public health, has been appointed as New York City’s new health commissioner by Mayor Bill de Blasio who praised him for playing a crucial role in addressing the unprecedented coronavirus challenges faced by the city.
Chokshi was named Commissioner of the City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on Tuesday after serving health commissioner Dr.Oxiris Barbot resigned from her post.
Blasio said Chokshi has spent his career fighting for those too often left behind.
“Never has that been more true than during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he has helped lead our City’s public health system under unprecedented challenges.I know he’s ready to lead the charge forward in our fight for a fairer and healthier city for all.”
Chokshi said: “Opportunity is what propelled my grandfathers to take up and move from small villages in Gujarat, India, to Mumbai, the New York City of India, two generations ago.My father was the first in his family to immigrate to the United States.”
Although he will be the top health official for the city of about 8.5 million people, Chokshi said that he would continue to see patients at the city hospital in an area with many immigrants where he also had a practice.
