County Executive Bruce Blakeman names new chair of Nassau University Medical Center board

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman has appointed Dr. Irina Gelman to chair the board of the Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, according to a release shared with the Herald late Thursday night.

Gelman, the county’s health commissioner, will step into the role previously held by Matthew Bruderman, who’d been serving as chairman to the board since 2022. A reason for Bruderman's departure from the position was not given. His appointment to the board was set to last until February of 2027. 

Gelman was named the Nassau County health commissioner in 2022. She was previously the health commissioner in upstate-Orange County and the public health director in Fulton County. Gelman was a fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine, and board vice president of the New York State Association of County Health Officials.

“We thank Matt Bruderman for his service as chairman of the board of Nassau University Medical Center,” Blakeman said in a written statement. “Under his leadership, NUMC was able to reduce its deficits by significant margins and improve its ratings. We wish him well in his future endeavors.

Dr. Kamal Nayyar, a NUMC board member, has also resigned, which opened a spot of Gelman to serve on both the board and as its chair.

"I appreciate Dr. Kamal Nayyar's resignation as a member of the board, as it will give me the opportunity to appoint Commissioner of Health Dr. Irina Gelman, a healthcare professional who has demonstrated throughout the course of her career, the highest level of professionalism and is uniquely qualified person to lead the NUMC Board as a member and chair,” he added. “I am totally confident in her abilities and believe under her leadership that she will be a tremendous asset to NUMC, its patients, and staff."

This is a developing story.