Dr. James McDonald was confirmed late Friday by the state Senate to serve as the top public health official in New York state. 

McDonald succeeds Dr. Mary Bassett, who left the role at the end of last year. McDonald, who had been serving as health commissioner in an acting capacity, was nominated in March by Gov. Kathy Hochul. 

In a statement, McDonald called the appointment and confirmation "the honor of a lifetime." 

"There are few things more important to people than their own health," he said. "My goal as the health commissioner is to do all I can to empower New Yorkers to live healthier lives, eliminate health disparities, increase access to affordable health care, and create healthier communities across the state. I am grateful to work with the talented, dedicated team at the Department of Health as we strive to improve public health for all New Yorkers.” 

The confirmation comes more than three years since the start of the COVID pandemic and as most restrictions due to the public health crisis have since been dropped. Still, health officials have been monitoring for a potential uptick in cases through wastewater. 

McDonald is also leading the department as health care overall remains in flux: Some hospitals and health care networks have struggled financially in the aftermath of the start of the pandemic while the state is also dealing with an acute health care worker shortage. 

At the same time, pandemic-era rules for Medicaid are also ending, and state health officials are trying to limit the drop off in the number of people who have coverage by expanding access to the Essential Plan. 

"As the state begins the process of redetermining eligibility for more than 9 million individuals enrolled in Medicaid as part of the public health emergency unwind, we look forward to continuing to work with the Department to help them remain insured and to further the state’s efforts to make high-quality, affordable coverage available to every New Yorker," said Eric Linzer, the president and CEO of the New York Health Plan Association.