Dr. Herminia Palacio was appointed Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services in January 2016. She oversees the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, NYC Health + Hospitals, Human Resources Administration, Department of Homeless Services, Administration for Children’s Services, Office of Chief Medical Examiner, Office to Combat Domestic Violence and Office of Food Policy.
With 25 years of experience in a range of health and social services professions, she is tasked with addressing homelessness across the five boroughs, developing a citywide network for mental health support, coordinating across the City’s public healthcare system, improving access to social services for all New Yorkers, and ensuring Agencies that oversee the City’s most vulnerable populations, such as children and victims of domestic violence, are run compassionately and effectively.