Dara Kass, MD
Regional Director, Region 2: NY, NJ, PR, US VI
​ Office of the Secretary US Department of Health and Human Services

Dr. Kass is a graduate of SUNY Downstate College of Medicine and the Kings County Hospital Emergency Medicine Residency. She began her career in resident education at Staten Island University Hospital, followed by medical student education at New York University School of Medicine, and most recently was an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Columbia University School of Medicine. A champion for gender equity and the advancement of women in medicine, Dr. Kass’s academic work has focused on creating a more equitable workplace for women in medicine. Most recently, she has shifted focus to policy and public communication in regards to the COVID pandemic. She has focused her communication on the impact of COVID on communities and families, empowering Americans to make informed decisions for themselves and their families.
Region 2 is based in New York City and serves New York, New Jersey, U.S. territories in the Caribbean, and several federally recognized Tribal Nations.