NYC Health plus Hospitals executive takes health and human services deputy mayor role
Helen Arteaga, who led NYC Health plus Hospitals Elmhurst through the COVID-19 pandemic, now oversees the health and human services portfolio as deputy mayor in Mamdani’s administration. The appointment, announced December 30, 2025, signals the mayor’s commitment to treating health as foundational to city life. Arteaga brings deep experience managing a major public hospital during crisis, working with disadvantaged populations, and building trust in communities skeptical of institutions.
Public Hospital Leadership
Arteaga became CEO of NYC Health plus Hospitals Elmhurst in 2021, roughly one year into the COVID-19 pandemic. The hospital, serving a predominantly immigrant and low-income population in Queens, faced overwhelming patient surges, staffing shortages, and resource constraints. Arteaga navigated these challenges while maintaining clinical care and public health mission. She has described the work as the place where her advocacy was born, suggesting a deep commitment to serving vulnerable populations.
Health and Human Services Portfolio
As deputy mayor, Arteaga oversees multiple agencies: the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, NYC Health plus Hospitals, and the Department of Social Services. This portfolio controls public health strategy, hospital operations, mental health services, and cash assistance programs. The agencies employ tens of thousands and serve millions of New Yorkers, particularly low-income residents dependent on public systems.
Public Health During Crisis
Her pandemic experience positions her to address ongoing public health crises: opioid overdose deaths, infectious disease outbreaks, maternal health disparities. New York faces persistently high overdose deaths, mental health crises, and healthcare access gaps, particularly in communities of color. Arteaga’s background suggests commitment to addressing these through public health approaches rather than criminalization or rationing.
Immigration-Conscious Healthcare
Born in Ecuador and raised as an immigrant, Arteaga brings personal understanding of immigrant health needs and barriers. She has described herself as “just another immigrant kid from Queens”connecting her experience to Mamdani’s own background. This shared identity may facilitate policy approaches that recognize immigration as relevant to health access and equity.
Healthcare System Challenges
Arteaga inherits a public hospital system facing budget pressures, aging infrastructure, and staffing recruitment challenges. NYC Health plus Hospitals lost significant funding during city fiscal constraints and serves as the safety net for uninsured and underinsured residents. Her success depends on securing adequate public investment in a budget-constrained environment. For public health information, see the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Learn about NYC hospitals at NYC Health plus Hospitals. Understand public health policy via American Public Health Association. Read about health equity at Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
