Helen Arteaga Landaverde | |
|---|---|
| Deputy Mayor of New York City for Health and Human Services | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2026 | |
| Mayor | Zohran Mamdani |
| Preceded by | Suzanne Miles-Gustave |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1975 or 1976 (age 49–50) United States |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | New York University (BA) Columbia University (MPH) CUNY Graduate School of Public Health &Health Policy (DPH) |
Helen J. Arteaga Landaverde (born 1975 or 1976) is an Ecuadorian-American public health administrator and government official. She served as the first female and first Hispanic chief executive officer of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst. In December 2025,she was appointed deputy mayor for Health and Human Services for New York City by Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.
Arteaga Landaverde was born 1975 or 1976 in the United States to Luis and Liliana Alava and raised in Ecuador,eventually returning at a young age to the United States with her family. [1] [2] [3] [4] She speaks fluent Spanish and is a longtime resident of Corona,Queens. [5] She is a lifelong member of the Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Corona,where she graduated from its academy. [1]
Arteaga Landaverde attended New York University (NYU) on a scholarship,where she majored in chemistry. [2] During her sophomore year at NYU,her father,Luis,died following a diagnosis of leukemia. [1] He was a community activist in Corona who had worked with local clergy to address gang violence in the neighborhood. [1] This event prompted her to shift her career focus from chemistry to public health. [2] She went on to earn a Master of Public Health from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. [2] On June 27,2023,she received a Doctor of Public Health from the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy,with a concentration in Community Health and Health Policy. [3] Her doctoral committee was chaired by Christopher Palmedo. [3] Her dissertation,titled "Understanding Influenza Vaccine Hesitancy And Uptake Among U.S. Hispanic Adults During The Covid-19 Pandemic," was dedicated to her grandmother,Luz,whom she described as her "first women leader." [3]
Arteaga Landaverde held positions within the Northwell Health. [5] She subsequently spent 15 years with Urban Health Plan,a system of community health centers,eventually serving as the assistant vice president of the Queens Network and Executive Initiatives starting in 2015. [5]
Inspired by her father's memory,she co-founded the Plaza del Sol Family Health Center. [1] In this Plaza it has provided for more than 27,000 patients making sure everyone gets the care despite finically. [6] In March 2016,she was appointed to the Board of Directors for both NYC Health + Hospitals and the NYU Alumni. [5] During her career,she received a fellowship with the National Hispana Leadership Institute. [2]
On February 8,2021,Arteaga Landaverde became the chief executive officer of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst. [5] Her appointment made her the first woman and the first Hispanic person to lead the hospital. [2] During her tenure, U.S. News &World Report named Elmhurst one of the "Best Regional Hospitals" in the United States. [7] Additionally,in September 2023,the Joint Commission recognized the hospital as the first in New York State to achieve a Health Equity Gold standard certification. [7]
On December 30,2025,during a press conference held at Elmhurst Hospital,Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced Arteaga Landaverde's appointment as deputy mayor for Health and Human Services. [7] In this role,succeeding Suzanne Miles-Gustave,she is responsible for overseeing the city's health,mental health,social,and homelessness services. [7]
Arteaga Landaverde is married to Victor,and the couple has three children. [1] In 2020,prior to becoming CEO of the facility,Arteaga Landaverde was admitted to Elmhurst Hospital with a severe case of COVID-19. [2] She nearly died from the disease and credits the hospital staff with saving her life. [2]
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