Dr. James McDonald was nominated Friday by Gov. Kathy Hochul to lead the state Department of Health. 

McDonald has been serving as the department's acting commissioner since the start of the year. His nomination is subject to confirmation by the state Senate. 

McDonald's nomination comes three years into the COVID-19 pandemic and after myraid challenges faced by public health officials. 

"In the midst of unprecedented public health crises, the New York State Department of Health has done extraordinary work keeping New Yorkers safe and healthy," Hochul said. "Dr. James V. McDonald is a talented public health leader with the skills and experience necessary to lead our Department of Health. I am proud to nominate him to this critical role, and I look forward to working closely with him to protect the health of all New Yorkers."

McDonald would replace Dr. Mary Bassett, who formally left the post at the start of the year. 

Health officials have continued to grapple with the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic and the complications created by community monitoring of the virus as well as an exodus of health care workers over the last several years. 

At the same time, officials have contended with overlapping issues, including the spread of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, as well as polio in the Hudson Valley region. 

"Serving as commissioner of the New York State Department of Health is the honor of a lifetime," McDonald said. "I am deeply grateful to Governor Hochul for her confidence in me, and I look forward to working closely with my Department of Health colleagues to continue to deliver for New Yorkers."

McDonald is a native of Cohoes and the brother of state Assemblyman John McDonald. He joined the state Department of Health in July 2022 and had served as the medial director of the Office of Public Health. 

He had previously spent a decade at the Rhode Island Department of Health and had served in several posts, including interim director of health.