Office of the Mayor
City of New York
Proclamation

Our health care system is the beating heart of our city—enegizing every section of industry and serving as our benevolent and compassionate core. We are grateful to every health care professional organization and partner that works to keep our city safe and strong. Today I am pleased to recognize a standout among them, The New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM), for its 175 dedicated years of service to all New Yorkers.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu once said, “There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.” Founded in 1847 by a group of physicians determined to reform the struggling medical system and dam up the rivers of disease and unhealthy living, NYAM continues to build upon its great legacy by “going upstream” and advancing public health across the five boroughs and beyond. From chronic disease prevention and maternal mortality solutions to mental health care and positive interventions for older individuals, the Academy is tackling some of our nation’s greatest challenges with patience, unwavering determination, and a robust evidence-based approach. Through its East Harlem Action Collaborative for Child Health and Well-being, which creates a space for caregivers to work with direct service providers and other stakeholders, Advocacy in Medicine workgroup, Age-friendly NYC initiative, and more, this group is empowering New Yorkers to take control of their health, reach for their happiness and redefine their destinies.

The organization has also been instrumental in advancing medical research and delivering solutions that work on both the national and local level. Its research to support Latinx immigrant families, eliminate food inequality, distribute vaccines equitably, and more, has ensured that New York not only remains on the forefront of medical innovation, but also on the forefront of compassionate and unbiased health care practices. This year for its anniversary and ACCESS: Health event, the Academy is also partnering with other organizations to spearhead its campaign for equity which will help pave a new pathway to more accessible and just care. I am proud to commend NYAM for its commitment to removing systemic barriers to quality health care, its tremendous leadership for more than 175 years and its efforts to build a brighter, more just future for all.

Therefore, I, Eric Adams, Mayor of the City of New York, Do hereby proclaim Tuesday, June 7th, 2022, in the City of New York as: “Day of Equity.”

Eric Adams
Mayor