Commissioner
Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham, M.D., was appointed by Governor Kathy Hochul on December 1, 2021 and confirmed by the New York State Senate on January 24, 2022 as Commissioner of the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS). Dr. Cunningham is a physician, researcher, and public health professional who brings over 20 years of expertise in substance use treatment to OASAS. Prior to joining OASAS, she served as the Executive Deputy Commissioner of Mental Hygiene at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, was a practicing physician at Montefiore Health System, and a Professor of Medicine, Family and Social Medicine, and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Cunningham has more than 20 years’ experience in research, care, and program development that focuses on people who use drugs. She has also partnered with community-based organizations to develop pioneering programs to promote the health of this population. Dr. Cunningham led one of the first clinics in New York City to integrate buprenorphine into primary care. She has trained hundreds of doctors to treat substance use disorders in primary care. She has also led several research studies and published numerous research articles that focus on treating substance use disorders.
Acting Executive Deputy Commissioner
Tracey L. Collins joined the Office of Addiction Services and Supports in 2008 as the Government Liaison. In 2019, she became the Director of the Office of Government Affairs and Federal Policy, responsible for the agency’s interactions with elected officials at the local, state, and federal level. Beginning in May of 2022, she transitioned to the new role of Associate Commissioner of Internal and External Affairs overseeing the agency’s Government Affairs, Communications, and Campaigns/Marketing Bureaus. She is now the Acting Executive Deputy Commissioner. She also currently serves as Co-coordinator of the Behavioral Health Services Advisory Council and Executive Secretary of the Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board. Ms. Collins has extensive experience in legislative affairs and communications, with over 21 years in New York State Government. She previously served as Deputy Director for the New York State Governor’s Office of Executive Chamber Operations, Assistant Deputy Director for the New York State Attorney General’s Office of Information Services, and Assistant Coordinator/Writer and Editor for the New York State Assembly Office of Communication and Information Services. Ms. Collins is a graduate of Siena College in Loudonville, New York, earning a BA in English Literature.
Associate Commissioner for Quality Assurance & Performance Improvement
Keith J. McCarthy is the Associate Commissioner for Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement for the NYS Office of Addiction
Services and Supports (OASAS). Mr. McCarthy assumed this role in February 2020, after having served as the Director of Inspection and Certification for the NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH). With over 25 years of experience in policy development/implementation and regulatory compliance from various levels of NYS government, Mr. McCarthy brings a broad knowledge of various issues to this position with OASAS. Mr. McCarthy began his career as a Graduate Fellow with the NYS Senate’s Committee on Health, where he advised the Committee on topics such as Medicaid, children’s health insurance, long-term care, managed care and public health. He then spent many years with the NYS Department of Health (DOH), immersed in assisted living/adult care facility and home health care issues, as well as management of the ‘‘Certificate of Need’’ process for health care facilities and providers, before joining OMH in 2013. At OMH, Mr. McCarthy was instrumental in developing and implementing telemental health and intensive outpatient services and redesigning the oversight process for licensed providers. In his current role, Mr. McCarthy’s responsibilities include formulating and carrying out OASAS’ statewide policy initiatives within the areas of standards, quality assurance, performance improvement, workforce development, and investigations. Over the past many years, Mr. McCarthy has also been at the forefront for advancing the ‘‘integration’’ of physical and behavioral health services in outpatient settings certified by OASAS, OMH and DOH. Mr. McCarthy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Legal Studies and Economics and a Master of Science degree from the Center for Applied Public Affairs, both from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He lives in Schodack Landing, NY, with his wife and two children.
Associate Commissioner for Prevention & Problem Gambling Services
In April 2019, Patricia Zuber-Wilson was appointed Associate Commissioner for the Division of Prevention and Problem Gambling Services at the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS). In this position, she oversees the policy oversight for a continuum of substance use prevention services and problem gambling prevention, treatment and recovery supports. The mission of the division is policy development and funding support for evidence- based prevention programming that reaches youth, families and communities across the state through educational programs; environmental prevention strategies; community-based prevention and public awareness. The work of the division is grounded in prevention services that are data driven; evidence based, while at the same time, culturally responsive and community focused to reach people across the lifespan. Ms. Zuber-Wilson has over 30 years experience working in various capacities in the executive and legislative branches of government. She joined OASAS in 2007 as the Director of Government Affairs and Federal Policy. In this position, she oversaw the agency’s efforts to monitor state and federal legislation, regulations and policy issues. Responsibilities also included working with local, state and federal elected officials and government agencies. Ms. Zuber-Wilson worked closely with the federal recognized Native American nations in the state and other key constituency groups. Ms. Zuber-Wilson graduated from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island with a BA in Organizational Behavior and Management and did graduate level coursework at the State University of New York at Albany.
Associate Commissioner for Addiction Treatment & Recovery Services
Patricia Lincourt currently serves as the Associate Commissioner for Addiction Treatment and Recovery Services at the NYS Office of Addiction Supports and Services. In her role, she oversees Medicaid Managed Care policy and implementation, treatment policy and innovation, treat- ment metrics development, recovery centers, and peer service in- tegration. She has over 30 years of clinical and administrative experience in addiction, mental health and child welfare settings. Her interests include implementation of evidence-based practice, service integration and financing of substance use services to im- prove outcomes. She has experience as a program director of out- patient substance use disorder services and as a clinical director. She has provided training in person-centered care, motivational interviewing, and quality improvement. She graduated from University of New York College at Buffalo with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and from the University of New York at Albany with a master’s degree in Social Work.
Associate Commissioner of Harm Reduction
Mary Brewster was appointed as the Associate Commissioner for Harm Reduction at the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) in September of 2022. Mary is focused on implementing harm reduction services statewide. As the leader of a new harm-reduction division within OASAS, she will be working with leaders throughout the state to create sustainable harm reduction programs that meet the needs of the communities most impacted by substance use. Mary is a social worker by education, having earned her MSW at DePaul University in Chicago with a focus on macro practice social work. She has over 15 years of experience in substance use disorder treatment and HIV care and treatment services. While in Chicago, Mary worked within the HIV/AIDS Community providing direct services to people living with HIV/AIDS through case management, risk reduction counseling and HIV test counseling. After leaving Chicago, Mary lived and worked in the Hudson Valley, where she oversaw a syringe exchange and harm reduction program. Prior to joining OASAS, Mary served as the Managing Director of Harm Reduction Services with Harlem United Community AIDS Center in New York City. Through her work with Harlem United, Mary was instrumental in creating and implementing the organization’s first harm reduction street outreach program and mobile medical harm reduction program. She served on the New York City HIV Planning Group from 2019 through 2022, acting as the Community Co-Chair throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic. Mary lives in Harlem with her husband and two cats.
Acting Associate Commissioner for Internal & External Affairs
Jerry Gertzinger - bio forthcoming.
Director of Statewide Operations
Manuel Mosquera joined the Office of Addiction Services and Supports in January of 2014 and is responsible for the management of all Regional Offices throughout the state and for developing strong interagency relations with other state agencies, local governmental units, provider community as well as with elected officials. Additionally, he is also responsible for Office Services which support both our headquarters building in Albany as well as our NYC office. Mr. Mosquera has over 30 years of work experience in various sized entities, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small privately held organizations, as well as a diverse spectrum of industries (including both government and the Not-for-Profit sectors). Prior to joining the Office of Addiction Services and Supports he served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Lexington School and Center for the Deaf. This was a state subsidized school, which also consisted of three separate agencies (Hearing & Speech Service, Vocational Services and Mental Health) as well as a fundraising Foundation. Prior to this, Mr. Mosquera worked for a local governmental unit (Nassau County, NY) where he served first as Deputy Comptroller of Audits and then moved to become Director of Operations for the County’s Health and Human Services Vertical, where he supported the operations of seven human services departments on behalf of the Deputy County Executive. As a result of his unique background, Mr. Mosquera is not only a business tested executive but is also uniquely aware of both the challenges facing the Not-for-Profit world, but the complexities of working within a governmental agency. It’s this depth and diversity of background that assists him in running our Regional Office operations.
Chief of Medical Services
Dr. Kelly S. Ramsey is an internal medicine physician who has treated substance use disorder since 2004. She is board certified in internal medicine and addiction medicine. She worked as Medical Director of an academic center-based OTP in the South Bronx before working for neatly a decade for a large FQHC in the Hudson Valley where she created and grew a MAT program for OUD and AUD. Dr. Ramsey currently works as the Chief of Medical Services at NYS OASAS. Prior to being appointed as CMO in July 2021, she was the Associate Chief of Addiction Medicine at NYS OASAS. Dr. Ramsey has provided expert advice to the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute by serving on numerous committees for over a decade, including the Vice-Chair of the Substance Use Guidelines Committee for the HIV Clinical Practice Guidelines (a collaboration with John Hopkins University) and Co-Chair of the Office of Drug User Health’s NYS Buprenorphine Advisory Group. Dr. Ramsey was the recipient of the NYS DOH Commissioner’s Special Recognition Award for contributions to drug user health in NYS in December 2018. Dr. Ramsey serves as the HCV and Drug User Health Champion for the Capital District for Mount Sinai to provide educational support for CEI (Clinician Education Initiative) on HIV, HCV, PEP, PrEP, and Drug User Health (MAT, opioid overdose prevention, harm reduction) through the NYS DOH (live presentations, webinars, planning initiatives). Dr. Ramsey is the President for the NYSAM BOD. Dr. Ramsey sits on the ASAM National BOD, as the Region I Director, representing NYS.
General Counsel
Trishia Allen is the General Counsel for the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports. In this role, Mrs. Allen provides guidance, direction, legal advice and support to the Commissioner and Executive Team. Prior to Mrs. Allen’s appointment as General Counsel, she served as an OASAS Senior Attorney for five years and as an Associate Attorney for four years. Mrs. Allen focused on the implementation of Medicaid Redesign initiatives, federal parity, legislation and policy, and commercial insurance law changes impacting those suffering from substance use disorder. Prior to working with OASAS, Mrs. Allen was a Legislative Counsel for the Legislative Commission on Rural Resources. Mrs. Allen is a graduate of the State University of New York at Albany and received her Juris Doctorate from Albany Law School.
Director of Bureau of Addiction Treatment Centers
Antonette Whyte-Etere is the Director of the Bureau of Addiction Treatment Centers (BATC) for the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports, overseeing 12 state operated Addiction Treatment Centers across New York State. Her statewide oversight includes regulatory compliance and fiscal oversight ensuring appropriate use of state aid resources in delivering quality care to New Yorkers accessing treatment and recovery supports in the inpatient rehabilitation and residential services. She previously served as the Regional Coordinator for the NYS OASAS Long Island Regional Office. Antonette Whyte-Etere is a qualified health professional (LCSW-R) and CASAC-Master by training, with over 25 years of experience in substance use disorder treatment and administration. She graduated with honors earning a Bachelor of Science in Social Welfare from SUNY Albany and a Master of Social Work from New York University. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated strong supervisory, organizational, and management skills as well as foster professional partnerships to advance the agency’s mission ‘‘to improve the lives of New Yorkers by leading a comprehensive system of addiction services for prevention, treatment, and recovery.’’ She served as a National Mentor for the W.F. Kellogg Foundation Multi-Cultural Executive Leadership Fellows Program and is a graduate of the NYS OASAS Talent Pool, as well as the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations and Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy’s New York State Leadership Training Institute.
Executive Equity Officer
Carmelita Cruz is the Executive Equity Officer, leading the newly created Office of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI). Serving in this role since June 2022, she leads development and execution of the agency’s vision and strategic plan, centering internal equity and trauma informed organizational change. The JEDI Office also leads work to reduce institutional racism through the creation and implementation of equitable practices and policies within internal agency operations. The Office supports external collaboration and continuous improvement with OASAS providers to develop and implement innovative JEDI strategies that provide measurable results. Carmelita has been with OASAS since 2016, previously working as an attorney in the Counsel’s Office where she worked on various projects—including diversity, equity and inclusion priorities for the agency—as well as policy, regulatory and legislative development. Prior to joining OASAS, Carmelita served as the Director of Advocacy and Community Organizing for Housing Works Inc., focusing on the development and implementation of New York’s Plan to End the AIDS Epidemic as well as a wide variety of social justice issues. She is a graduate of The Sage Colleges and New York Law School and the proud mother of two beautiful children.
Associate Commissioner for Fiscal Administration
Deborah K. Davis was appointed as the Associate Commissioner of the Division of Fiscal Administration at the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) on January 6, 2022. In this role, she oversees the agency’s budget appropriations and spending plans, federal and state grants management and reporting, contracts and procurements, purchasing and MWBE opportunities, revenue, payments and claims, and capital financial management. Deborah has over 17 years experience in the public sector in financial management of behavioral health and human service agencies. Specifically, Deborah served nearly nine years at the New York State Division of Budget in the Mental Hygiene Unit and led the Division in allocating funds in support of several statewide initiatives, including the Human Services Cost of Living Adjustment, the Not-For-Profit Prompt Contracting Initiative, and the State share of Medicaid. Also, Deborah gained nine years’ experience in various leadership roles at the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, including serving in the roles of Budget Director and Assistant Director of Financial Operations, and leading the agency in developing the financial support and infrastructure for the Governor’s Raise the Age of Juvenile Justice initiative. Deborah has also been an advocate for mental health parity and suicide prevention, serving as the founding board member of the Capital Region Chapter of the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention; U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. David Satcher’s, task force to develop the National Call to Action to prevent suicide; founding member of the New York State Office of Mental Health Suicide Prevention Council; and served as a legislative assistant at MHANYS on the mental health parity bill. Deborah is a JV High School tennis coach and an Athletes as Leaders trainer for high school athletes to promote a change in social norms to a culture of safety, respect, and inclusion. Deborah has received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Hofstra University, Master of Public Administration from Rockefeller College of Public Affairs, Certificate of Management from the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations and was selected and graduated from the New York State Leadership Institute sponsored by the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations and Rockefeller College of Public Affairs. Deborah resides in Bethlehem with her husband, and they are the proud parents of two adult children.
Acting Chief of Staff
Henry “Hank” Rosen joined the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) in 2023 and serves as Acting Chief of Staff. In this capacity, he supports staff and leadership in the design and implementation of prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery initiatives that seek to redress health disparities and improve outcomes and for people and communities affected by substance use and addiction.
Hank brings broad knowledge of public policy and public health to OASAS. Prior to his appointment, he served as Director of the Office of the Executive Deputy Commissioner for Mental Hygiene in the New York City Health Department, where he supported and led a range of initiatives spanning: rapid responses to public health crises; press and communications; government affairs and advocacy; policy analysis and development; fundraising for new initiatives; racial justice and health equity initiatives; and other operations and management functions. Hank has also worked as a health policy consultant supporting states design and implement Medicaid reform initiatives, and as spent several years working across the U.S. with community organizations and state and local government leaders on criminal-legal system reform initiatives.
Hank received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Middlebury College and his Master of Science in Health Policy and Management from the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health.