Rockland names Dr. Mary Leahy health commissioner after 2-year vacancy

Rockland’s last health commissioner left the post at the end of March 2023.
Rockland in 2018-2019 managed a measles outbreak. In 2020, COVID hit the county early and hard. In 2022, a case of paralytic polio, the first in decades in the U.S., was discovered in Rockland.
Leahy retired this year as CEO of Bon Secours Charity Health System after a November 2024 shakeup throughout WMCHealth.

Rockland County has named Dr. Mary Leahy as health commissioner. The key position has been vacant for nearly two years.

Leahy retired this year as CEO of Bon Secours Charity Health System, which includes Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern and is a member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network. Her announced departure was reported amid a shakeup of key staff positions throughout the WMCHealth system.

Rockland’s last health commissioner, Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert, left the post at the end of March 2023. She led the county’s efforts through the 2018-2019 measles outbreak, the COVID pandemic that hit Rockland communities early and hard, and a case of paralytic polio, the first in decades in the U.S.

“Dr. Leahy’s extensive experience, coupled with her deep commitment to the health and well-being of Rockland County residents, makes her the ideal choice to lead our Health Department,” County Executive Ed Day said in a statement. “Her leadership will be instrumental in strengthening public health initiatives and advancing healthcare access for all.”

Leahy’s tenure with the county started Tuesday, Feb. 25, although her appointment was announced Thursday, Feb. 27. The base salary for the position is $224,681.

She remains acting health commissioner until her appointment is approved by the New York State commissioner of health. Then the Rockland County Legislature would need to confirm her appointment.

“I am honored to serve as Rockland County’s next Commissioner of Health,” Leahy said in a statement. “I look forward to working with our dedicated health professionals and community partners to enhance public health programs and ensure that every resident has access to quality healthcare.”

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What’s the job?

The health commissioner oversees all clinics, immunization programs, communicable diseases, emergency medical services, emergency and public health preparedness, environmental health, preventative health care and education, and the enforcement of applicable public health laws and sanitary codes.

The candidate must have a medical degree and be certified by the American Board of Preventative Medicine; two years of administrative experience; and a master’s degree in public health or be on the way to earning it.

According to the job description posted after Schnabel Ruppert’s departure was announced, the health commissioner post is a 24/7 job; outside employment is not allowed. The health commissioner must be a U.S. citizen and reside in Rockland while holding the post.

The original salary listing was from $163,748 to $204,255.

What is Mary Leahy’s background?

Leahy is a board-certified internist and holds a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Boston College.

She co-founded Rockland Pulmonary & Medical Associates that is now part of the Bon Secours Medical Group.

In 2012, Dr. Leahy was appointed senior vice president of physician operations for Bon Secours Medical Group, and in 2013 named CEO at Bon Secours Charity Health System.

Leahy has served on a slew of boards and other positions in Rockland and had been the face of Good Samaritan Hospital for years.

In November 2024, Westchester Medical Center Health Network announced it was eliminating up to 129 jobs, which it said was less than 1% of its total workforce systemwide. It was the second round of layoffs that year.

The layoffs involved “administrative and corporate service roles across the system,” WMC Health officials said in a statement, adding “no direct patient care roles have been impacted.” Hospital system officials said the changes would centralize services.

Leahy at the time announced her early retirement.

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