LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring LaRay Brown upon the occasion of her
retirement after 29 years of distinguished service to New York City
Health & Hospitals Corporation

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the
significant milestones in the distinguished careers of esteemed resi-
dents of this noble Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
LaRay Brown upon the occasion of her retirement after 29 years of
distinguished service to New York City Health & Hospitals Corporation;
and
WHEREAS, This momentous occasion will be celebrated with a retirement
party in her honor on Tuesday, February 2, 2016, at Tribeca Rooftop in
New York City; and
WHEREAS, LaRay Brown, an exceptionally well-respected hospital execu-
tive with strong ties to city and state government, will become Presi-
dent and Chief Executive of Interfaith Medical Center in February of
2016; in doing so, she will become the first female African-American
president of a private hospital in New York City; and
WHEREAS, After 29 years of steadfast and dedicated service, LaRay
Brown will officially retire from her esteemed role as the Senior Vice
President for Corporate Planning, Community Health and Intergovernmental
Relations, and Corporate Officer at the New York City Health & Hospitals
Corporation (HHC), the largest municipal health care system in the coun-
try; and
WHEREAS, In this capacity, LaRay Brown directs strategic planning
efforts for HHC, as well as the formulation and execution of legislative
initiatives and advocacy strategies; and
WHEREAS, Throughout her illustrious career, LaRay Brown has also
spearheaded a variety of initiatives during her tenure at HHC, from the
implementation of comprehensive psychiatric emergency programs (CPEPs)
at several hospitals, to the development of a community governed commu-
nity health center on Staten Island, negotiations with state and federal
officials for the development of a new long term care hospital and nurs-
ing facility in Harlem, as well as the development of hundreds of
affordable and accessible apartments for HHC's long term care and hospi-
tal patients; and
WHEREAS, Active within the community she so ably serves, LaRay Brown
is past Chairperson of the National Association of Public Hospitals and
Health Systems; she has also served as a member of New York State Gover-
nor Andrew Cuomo's health care transition team and Medicaid Redesign
Teams, and currently serves on the Board of the New York State Health
Foundation; and
WHEREAS, LaRay Brown has been the proud recipient of numerous awards
and accolades some of which include; the 2010 Marshall C. England Memo-
rial Public Health Award, the 2011 CHCANYS Rosemarie Forstner Award, and
mention in the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD; she has also been named by MODERN
HEALTHCARE as one of the Top 25 Women in Healthcare; and
WHEREAS, LaRay Brown graduated summa cum laude from the University of
Pennsylvania and received her graduate training at the University of
Pennsylvania Fels Center for Government Policy; and
WHEREAS, For nearly three decades, LaRay Brown rendered faithful,
conscientious and valuable service to Corporate Planning, Community
Health and Intergovernmental Relations and New York City Health & Hospi-
tals Corporation; and

WHEREAS, In her official acts, LaRay Brown was governed by a keen
sense of duty, always showing a unique grasp of human problems and truly
earned the admiration, esteem and affection of her colleagues; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the occurrence of such a compassionate blend-
ing of strength, leadership, intellect, and commitment as that demon-
strated by LaRay Brown over a lifetime of sacrifice and dedication to
others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor LaRay Brown upon the occasion of her retirement after 29 years of
distinguished service to New York City Health & Hospitals Corporation;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to LaRay Brown.