[NYAPRS Enews] Senate Confirms Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez as new OASAS Commissioner

[Harvey Rosenthal]

NYAPRS Note: Congratulations to newly confirmed OASAS Commissioner Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez. We look forward to lots of good collaborations in promoting dual recovery in New York, especially given the increasing integration of substance use and mental health services. 

 

Governor Cuomo Announces Commissioner Of The Office Of Alcoholism And Substance Abuse Services Unanimously Confirmed By New York State Senate


Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez has been unanimously confirmed by the New York State Senate as Commissioner of the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS).

"Commissioner Gonzalez-Sanchez is a consummate professional who has dedicated her career to the well-being of others. She brings more than 30 years of experience in the health and mental hygiene field, along with the leadership that will help transform our system of care into a comprehensive, integrated and patient-focused system," Governor Cuomo said. "Both her extensive experience and unique talents will be an asset to my administration and benefit New Yorkers across the state. I thank and applaud Senators Klein and DeFrancisco and their respective committees for their review of this nomination, as well as the entire Senate for their speedy confirmation vote."

Commissioner Gonzalez-Sanchez said, "I am honored to bring my experience and commitment to the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, to the Governor and to the people of New York State. I thank Governor Cuomo for his confidence in nominating me to serve the people of New York, Senators Klein and DeFrancisco for the swift confirmation process, and the entire Senate for voting to accept me as the Commissioner of OASAS. As we move forward to achieve needed reforms, we as leaders in the behavioral health and health care fields must be innovative and committed to the change that will provide the best possible care for those who need our services."

Ms. Gonzalez-Sanchez is a member of the Medicaid Redesign Team which submitted its reform recommendations to Governor Cuomo last week. Most recently, Ms. Gonzalez-Sanchez served as the Commissioner and Director of Community Services at the Nassau County Department of Mental Health, Chemical Dependency and Developmental Disabilities Services, after working for two years as the Deputy Commissioner. She is also the Co-Chair of Nassau County's Health Disparity Task Force. Under Gonzalez-Sanchez, Nassau County consolidated mental health, developmental disabilities, and drug and alcohol addiction services. Prior to working for Nassau County, Ms. Gonzalez-Sanchez served at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for a decade. During her tenure, Ms. Gonzalez-Sanchez was an Associate Commissioner/NYC Regional Director, Assistant Commissioner/Regional Director for the Boroughs of the Bronx and Queens, the Director of Planning and Project Management and a senior consultant. From 1991 to 1992, Ms. Gonzalez-Sanchez served as the Director of the Bronx Health Corps, after working as the Assistant Administrator for the Fund for Aging Services, Inc. at the NYC Department for the Aging. Before working for the NYC Department of Aging, Ms. Gonzalez-Sanchez was Research Fellow at Cornell University, where she taught Cell Biology and Anatomy. In 1982, Ms. Gonzalez-Sanchez was a genetic counselor in the Department of Pediatric and Medical Genetics at Brookdale Hospital Medical Center.

Senate Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos said, "Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez has extensive experience in many areas related to mental health, particularly alcohol and substance abuse services. She has done very good work in Nassau County and I commend the Governor on this outstanding appointment." 

State Senator Jeffrey D. Klein, Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse said, "Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez has the experience and the leadership qualities that make her an excellent choice for Commissioner of the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse. I look forward to working with her to make sure that those who need help receive help in the most efficient way possible." 

State Senator Shirley L. Huntley, ranking member of the Senate Standing Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse said, "The Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) deserves a Commissioner that will make the needs of those who are battling addiction and substance abuse her first priority. In my conversations with Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez, I truly believe she will bring dignity, compassion, and active leadership as the Commissioner of OASAS. She is the right choice and the smart choice to be the new Commissioner of OASAS and I look forward to working with her in the future."

Kelly A. Hansen, Executive Director, New York State Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors said, " Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez brings to OASAS a combination of clinical and operational experience having run community-based chemical dependency and mental health clinics while overseeing one of the state's largest county mental hygiene systems in Nassau County. The Conference commends Governor Cuomo for his outstanding selection of Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez for OASAS Commissioner." 

Luis R. Marcos, MD, Professor of Psychiatry and Medical Director for Affiliations, NYU School of Medicine said, "Commissioner Gonzalez-Sanchez is an outstanding health professional and a genuinely caring person with a strong devotion to improving the well-being of all New Yorkers. Over these many years, I have seen her consistently demonstrate her unshakable commitment and professional expertise as a leader in the areas of health, mental health, chemical dependencies and developmental disabilities. There is no doubt that she has made ─ and continues to make ─ a significant positive impact and difference in the health of many communities, particularly New York City and Nassau County. I congratulate Governor Cuomo on an excellent choice."

John Coppola, Executive Director of the New York Association of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Providers Inc. (ASAP) said, "As Governor Cuomo charts a course on the road to recovery for New York State, his choice of Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez as the Commissioner for OASAS demonstrates we are headed in the right direction. Commissioner Gonzalez-Sanchez has experience coordinating multiple systems of care; exercising prudent and efficient stewardship of resources; ensuring that services are tailored to meet the needs of addicted individuals, their families and communities; and producing the desired results. With Governor Cuomo's vision, Commissioner Gonzalez-Sanchez has a blueprint for success. She is very capable of providing the guidance the chemical dependence field needs to be a major force not only in helping addicted persons recover, but in helping NYS to recover as well."

 

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