With her preliminary medical background in surgery and clinical care, Dr. Gelman, a PACE University and NYCPM graduate, grew up in Brooklyn, NY and went on to complete her residency training at Coney Island Hospital. Dr. Gelman obtained a Master Degree in Public Health at the Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, and earned the HANYS Academy for Healthcare Leadership certification from Cornell University.
Dr. Gelman served as the Director of Public Health in Fulton County, NY for close to five years, she has been an active advocate for, as well as participant of local collaborations.
Dr. Gelman completed her PhD work in the Public Health track with a concentration in Community Health, with her dissertation on “Government applications of digital health (telehealth) in multi-sectoral settings.” Her focus on improving access to care, while impacting population health, culminated in a pilot project geared toward a larger countywide telehealth initiative in Fulton County, NY which earned the American Public Health Association Milton and Ruth Roemer Prize in 2018 as well as the 2018 New York State Senate Woman of Distinction Award.
Dr. Irina Gelman was appointed and confirmed as the tenth Commissioner of Health for Orange County, NY in 2018, and led the county through the measles outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic response.
Dr. Gelman served as the President of the New York State Association of County Health Officials (NYSACHO) board of directors and remains an active fellow of The New York Academy of Medicine. Dr. Irina Gelman was appointed and confirmed as the twelfth Commissioner of Health for Nassau County, NY in 2022, and currently continues to serve in that capacity.