NYC Gazette

On June 1, 2024, Mary Beth Quaranta Morrissey, PhD, JD, MPH, assumed the role of Chair of the New York State Bar Association Health Law Section. The Health Law Section comprises over 900 New York State attorneys engaged in health law practice across the state.

Dr. Morrissey moves into this role after serving in numerous leadership positions both within the Health Law Section and the wider New York State Bar Association (NYSBA). Concentrating her practice in health and public health law, Dr. Morrissey has served as past Chair of the Section’s Public Health Law Committee and in multiple officer roles. She also chaired several statewide NYSBA Task Forces, including most recently the NYSBA Task Force on Medical Aid in Dying. During the pandemic, she chaired several COVID Task Forces examining a range of legal and public health issues, including mandatory vaccination.

During her term as Health Law Section Chair, Mary Beth is prioritizing maternal health. The next issue of the Health Law Journal will focus on the current public health crisis of maternal mortality and morbidity in the United States and calls for action.

Under Mary Beth’s leadership, the Health Law Section will also examine the crisis of opioid addiction. Dr. Timothy Conley from WSSW faculty will collaborate with Dr. Morrissey on this project.

In her career at Wurzweiler School of Social Work (WSSW), Dr. Morrissey holds appointments as Associate Professor and Director of the PhD Program in Social Welfare Policy. She is a well-known gerontological health scholar and policy expert on diverse issues including immigration; healthcare decision-making; long-term care; hospice, palliative and end-of-life care; and elder abuse. She also holds leadership roles in organizations such as the New York City Bar Association, American Psychological Association, The Gerontological Society of America, and New York State Society on Aging.