NYC Health Commissioner Will Step Down Friday: Report

NEW YORK CITY — Ashwin Vasan, the New York City Health Commissioner, will step down from his position on Friday, after previously committing to stay on until early next year.

Vasan informed his staff of his decision Tuesday morning, according to Gothamist.

Michelle Morse, the city’s chief medical officer, will step in as interim health commissioner while city officials search for a permanent replacement.

Last month, Vasan announced his resignation and said he would leave his position next January, Patch previously reported.

In a September 23rd post on X ,Vasan said it was an honor to serve the city he loves and cited wanting to be with his family more as the reason behind his departure.

"As anyone with a family — or a chosen family — knows, you are never alone in service," Vasan said. "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 wellbeing. While this was a hard decision, it was the right one for me and my family. I also look forward to continuing my clinical work and teaching, while supporting initiatives to advance health, equity, and access across this city and this nation."

In a statement shared with Gothamist, Vasan said his family needs have “taken on greater urgency.”

Mayor Eric Adams has yet to comment on Vasan's early departure.

Vasan has not been tied to any ongoing federal investigation into the Adams administration.

More Officials Leave Adams Administration

Around 10 people have since left the administration within the last few weeks.

Interim NYPD commissioner Tom Donlon is expected to resign close to a month into his new role, Patch previously reported.

Last week, it was announced that Rana Abbasova, who was a staffer in the Mayor’s Office of International Affairs, was fired Monday and Winnie Greco, the mayor's Director of Asian Affairs, tendered her resignation.

Both women's homes were raided by federal authorities, according to a report by Politico.

Abbasova is apparently a key witness in the illegal campaign donations case against the mayor and is cooperating with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. She has been on leave from work since federal authorities raided her home last November.

"Both Winnie Greco and Mohamed Bahi today tendered their resignations,” a City Hall spokesperson told the outlet. “We thank them for their service to the city."

In addition, deputy mayor Sheena Wright officially resigned Tuesday morning. Wright's home was among those raided by federal authorities on Sept. 4.