DR. JOSEPH CIMINO

Dr. Joseph Cimino, a physician, educator and former New York City Health Commissioner who was instrumental in establishing the Westchester Medical Center, died on Sunday, July 1, at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx. The cause of his death was complications from cancer; he was 73. After graduating from Harvard College with a degree in American History, and attending Medical School at the University of Buffalo, he returned to Harvard to study Public Health, becoming a certified specialist in preventive medicine and occupational medicine. He then worked for the New York City government from 1965-1974; his appointment by Mayor John Lindsay as Commissioner of Health in 1972 made him the youngest Department Commissioner in the history of the city. From 1974-1978, Dr. Cimino served as Commissioner of Hospitals and Medical Director for Westchester County, where he supervised the building and staffing of a new University Hospital at what would become known as the Westchester Medical Center. During this period he also organized the Hudson Valley Health Systems Agency and served as its Chairman. From 1978-1981, he served as President of New York Medical College in Valhalla, New York, organizing and directing its graduate and residency programs. Since 1981, he has remained at New York Medical, as Professor and Chairman of the Department of Community and Preventive Medicine. A modest man, who never sought credit for his many accomplishments, Dr. Cimino was much beloved by his colleagues and students. Over the past three decades, he continued to consult for public and private agencies and corporations, including Bayer and the New York City Department of Sanitation, on health planning, environmental and occupational health; and to serve on numerous professional boards and associations, including the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation, the Dominican Sisters Home Health Agency, the New York State Public Health Council, the Board of Directors of Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture, and the Professional and Inter-professional Relations Committee, of which he was Chairman. In 2004, he was awarded an Ellis Island Medal of Honor for his contributions to Italian-American and American society. Married since 1958 to Margaret Mary (Peggy) Langan, Dr. Cimino is survived by his wife and seven children: Dr. Andrea Cimino of New York City; Laura Colella, Esq. of Amherst, Ohio; Dr. Lisa Gandolfo of Scarsdale, New York; Joseph A. Cimino of New York City; Linda Cimino of Bedminster, New Jersey; Margaret Cimino, Esq., of New York City; John Cimino of Pocantico Hills, New York; by a brother Dr. James E. Cimino of Valhalla, New York, and a sister, Camilla Harris, of Ossining, New York, as well as seven grandchildren. Visitation will be Thursday, July 5th 7-9 pm, Friday, July 6th 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm at Dwyer Funeral Home, Tarrytown, NY. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, July 7th, 10:30 am at the Church of the Magdaline, Pocantico Hills, NY. In lieu of flowers a donation may be made in memory of Dr. Joseph A. Cimino, Chairman of the Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, New York Medical College, Development Office, Administration Building, Valhalla, NY 10595. DWYER FUNERAL HOME 90 N. Broadway Tarrytown, NY (914)631-0621 www.dwyerandvanderbilt .com