Obituary: Renowned health care leader Herbert Pardes 

Herbert Pardes, M.D., 89, former president and CEO of NewYork-Presbyterian, died this week following an illness. Pardes was a longstanding and influential figure within health care, and an outspoken proponent for academic medicine, medical research and children’s health education, among other areas. His career spanned academic psychiatry, government service and management, including 11 years as president and CEO of NewYork-Presbyterian. 

“Throughout his long and distinguished career, Herb always led with compassion and strove to put patients first,” said AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack. “Whether it was as an academic psychiatrist, in federal government service, as chair of multiple health care associations, or over a decade as President and CEO of NewYork-Presbyterian health system, Herb made invaluable contributions to our field and to advancing health in communities across the country. He was also a passionate and powerful advocate for the role that academic medical centers play in education, research and training the next generation of caregivers. His efforts improved the lives of millions of Americans.” 

During his career, Pardes served as director of the National Institute of Mental Health and as the U.S. Assistant Surgeon General during the administrations of Presidents Carter and Reagan. In addition, he served as president of the American Psychiatric Association and was appointed by the George W. Bush and Clinton Administrations to health policy commissions. He also served as chairman of the Association of American Medical Colleges, the Greater New York Hospital Association, the Healthcare Association of New York State, and the New York Association of Medical Schools. He also was executive vice chair of NewYork-Presbyterian’s board of trustees and served on the board of the New York Genome Center. 

Last year, in recognition of his decades of leadership and influence Pardes was inducted into the Health Care Hall of Fame, a partnership between Modern Healthcare and the American College of Healthcare Executives.