Dennis Whalen, Executive Vice President for Policy, Healthcare Association of New York State

Dennis Whalen joined the Healthcare Association of New York State as Executive Vice President for Policy in September 2009 following more than 30 years in New York State government service.

Governor David A. Paterson appointed him as Director of State Operations on July 8, 2008. In that position, he was responsible for overseeing the operation of all 78 executive branch agencies, directing the Governor’s policymaking staff of Deputy Secretaries, and advising the Governor on all state operational matters.

Prior to this appointment, he served both Governor Eliot Spitzer and Governor David Paterson as Deputy Secretary for Health and Human Services. In this position he served both Governors as their chief advisor on health care and human services policy. He oversaw the operation of 12 state agencies: Health, Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, Aging, Temporary and Disability Assistance, Children and Family Services, Medicaid Inspector General, Welfare Inspector General, Veteran’s Affairs, Commission on Quality Care, Council on Children and Families.

For a decade (1996-2006), he served as the Executive Deputy Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health (DOH), and had COO responsibilities for the nation’s largest state health agency. He previously served in DOH as Director of the Office of Health Systems Management, and the Director of the New York State AIDS Institute.

Prior to DOH, he served in policymaking positions at the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, including as Deputy Commissioner for Program Services. He began his career in state government in 1974 as a public health educator at the Department of Health.

He is a graduate of Marist College and the National Preparedness Leadership Institute at the Kennedy School of Government.