Elevate Prezant To Top Medical Post in FDNY

By GINGER ADAMS OTIS 

DAVID PREZANT: Efforts rewarded.

Dr. David Prezant became the Fire Department's Chief Medical Officer Feb. 6. He was promoted from his former position as Deputy Medical Director for the FDNY Bureau of Health Services. Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta, in making the announcement, praised Dr. Prezant for his 20 years of service in the FDNY, saying he had "performed superbly" in his job.

Key Post-9/11 Role

According to the FDNY, Dr. Prezant has been the BHS Deputy Medical Director since 1994 and, among other things, spearheaded the automation of BHS functions, played a leading role in obtaining tens of millions of dollars in Federal health grants, and coordinated the monitoring and treatment of thousands of FDNY personnel after 9/11.

He is a nationally recognized expert in pulmonology, and has published dozens of articles in this and other areas of medicine. Given his great expertise, Commissioner Scoppetta said, Dr. Prezant will continue to function as co-director of the WTC Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program, along with Chief Medical Officer for BHS, Dr. Kerry Kelly.