Posted by Dr. Jon R. Cohen, Gov. David A. Paterson‘s top policy adviser, has resigned to become an executive at a medical testing company in New Jersey, it was announced yesterday.
Cohen, of Great Neck, will serve as chief medical officer and senior vice president at Quest Diagnostics. He held similar posts at the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System before going to work for PricewaterhouseCoopers.
The vascular surgeon joined the Paterson administration a year ago after unsuccessfully vying to be Eliot Spitzer‘s running mate in 2006 as lieutenant governor. Spitzer chose Paterson instead.
Cohen, 54, also was passed over by Spitzer for top health care posts in the Capitol. But he grew close to Paterson, even seconding his nomination for lieutenant governor at the state Democratic convention.
Cohen earned $160,500 as a gubernatorial adviser.
Paterson yesterday called Cohen a “trusted adviser and loyal friend,” praising his work to craft a policy agenda, strategic planning and recruiting people to the administration. “I look forward to continuing that relationship for many years to come,” the governor said.
Cohen’s resignation is effective March 27. He will start at Quest on March 30.
“I am very proud to have served the governor during this last year,” Cohen said in a statement. “[Paterson] is an extraordinary individual who works tirelessly every day to lead New York through these challenging times.”
Cohen declined an interview request.
Cohen is among a handful of Paterson confidants that have departed or been reassigned recently as he attempts to recover from a rocky first year in office. Communication director Risa Heller was replaced and gubernatorial secretary William J. Cunningham III returned to his former post as senior adviser.
Source: Newsday
