Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced the recommendation of Benjamin K. Chu, MD, MPH, as President of the NYC Health & Hospitals Corporation. In addition, Mayor Bloomberg announced the appointments of Ester Fuchs as Special Advisor for Governance and Strategic Planning, Linda Gibbs as Commissioner of the Department of Homeless Services, Kate D. Levin as Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs, and Betty B. Wu as Commissioner for the Department of Employment.

"I am delighted to nominate Dr. Benjamin Chu as President of NYC Health & Hospitals Corporation," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said. "Dr. Chu brings to the job a wealth of experience in health care from the public and private sector, and the academic community. He is a primary care internist who has invested enormous energy into reforming health care systems to work better for patients. One out of every six New Yorkers uses the public hospital system, which serves as the City's first line of care for major trauma. Dr. Chu will bring a broad community-wide perspective to the task of managing our public health care system."

The NYC Health & Hospitals Corporation oversees the operations of the City's municipal hospitals in all five boroughs, providing general, chronic, ambulatory and skilled nursing care, as well as a wide variety of specialized patient care services. Prior to his nomination, Benjamin K. Chu was Senior Associate Dean at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons (affiliated with Harlem Hospital), Vice President for Clinical Affairs and Associate Dean at the New York University School of Medical Center, and had previously served as the Senior Vice President for Medical and Professional Affairs at HHC. Chu received a BA at Yale University, an MPH at the Mailman School at Columbia University and an MD at New York University School of Medicine.

"Ester Fuchs has spent her entire career consulting with governments, teaching people about government, and has been at the forefront of public policy issues," Mayor Bloomberg said. "Ester will provide invaluable input on a number of issues impacting New York City - from health to homelessness to education - and she is a welcome addition to the Administration."

The Special Advisor for Governance and Strategic Planning works with the Chief of Staff, Senior Advisor, and Deputy Mayors on strategic planning and community building. Fuchs will assist with the development of reform initiatives for City agencies, as well as advise on new, innovative ways to deliver public services. Prior to her appointment, Ester Fuchs was the Director of the Columbia University Center for Urban Research and Policy, a Professor of Political Science at Columbia University and Barnard College, and Chair of the Urban Studies Program and Public Affairs. Fuchs received a BA at Queens College CUNY, an MA at Brown University and a PhD in Political Science at the University of Chicago.

"Our goal in this administration is to guarantee that every homeless person and their family has a safe bed and the services they need while in the shelter system," Mayor Bloomberg said. "Linda Gibbs has established a track record of reform-minded, collaborative work and I think she is the perfect choice to address the issues facing the Department of Homeless Services."

The Department of Homeless Services provides temporary emergency shelter to eligible homeless individuals in a safe, supportive environment. Prior to her appointment, Linda Gibbs was Deputy Commissioner for Management and Planning at the Administration for Children's Services, Project Director at the Vera Institute of Justice, and Deputy Director of the Mayor's Office of Management and Budget. Gibbs received a BS at the State University of New York at Potsdam and a JD at the State University of New York at Buffalo.

"The Department of Cultural Affairs is the link to some of our City's great cultural institutions and plays an important role in every aspect of the revitalization of our City," Mayor Bloomberg said. "People visit because of the diverse cultural institutions and programs. Kate Levin brings vision and imagination to this role as well as experience at bridging the divide between government and the arts."

The Department of Cultural Affairs sustains and promotes the cultural life of the City. Prior to her appointment, Kate D. Levin was an Assistant Professor of English and Theater at the City College of New York CUNY and Associate Director of the Simon H. Rifkind Center for Humanities and the Arts CCNY. Levin received a BA from Harvard University and a PhD in English from the University of California at Berkeley.

"Now more than ever, we need someone with a proven track record of developing solid relationships with the business community in order to generate jobs for those who need them and so desperately want to be a part of the workforce," Mayor Bloomberg said. "Betty Wu will work hard to ensure that all New Yorkers who need jobs have the best opportunity to obtain them."

The Department of Employment seeks to advance the City's human services and economic development goals by providing employment services to economically disadvantaged, unemployed and under-employed adults and young people. Prior to her appointment, Betty B. Wu was Business Development Manager at Bloomberg, LP, Asian Equity Sales Manager at Nava Standard Chartered Securities, Inc., Manager of Investment Services Dept. at Matheson PFC Ltd., and Vice President at Salomon Brothers Ltd./Hong King. Wu earned a BA at the University of Washington.