Biography of Dr. Nasry Michelen.1924 Dr. Michelen was born in San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican Republic into a dis nguished family. He received his ini al schooling in the Dominican Republic but obtained his medical degree at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon. He married Marie Armaly and established a prac ce as a surgeon in Bethlehem, Pales ne. He returned to his na ve country a er a few years where he prac ced in the San Juan region’s public hospital system. His administra ve skills and acumen were recognized by the Minister of Health, who awarded him a scholarship to obtain his Master’s in Public Health at Columbia University, New York.
IN COMMEMORATION OF HOSTOS COMMUNITY COLLEGE ‘S 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION & DOMINICAN HERITAGE MONTH
Upon his return from studying, he was appointed Superintendent of Hospitals during President Trujillo‘s dictatorship. Dr. Michelen was a fierce cri c of the regime, during and a er Trujillo’s reign. He was one of the leaders of the opposi on to the new government that was formed a er Trujillo’s death. The government’s persecu on was such that he was forced to leave the country, along with his family, which by now comprises his wife and three sons. He returned to New York, where he was appointed Associate Director of Elmhurst Hospital in Queens and later Execu ve Director of Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx. He was the first Hispanic and Dominican in New York State to be an execu ve director of a hospital. As execu ve director of the hospital, Dr. Michelen recruited a cadre of La no physicians to the medical staff in an effort to provide culturally appropriate care and be er serve the predominantly La no popula on of the South Bronx. He successfully advocated for the building of a new Lincoln Hospital at 149th St. and the Grand Concourse. He was also part of a group of community ac vists that fought for be er services in the South Bronx. In 1968, Dr. Michelen was one of the founders of Hostos Community College of CUNY and its first president. Hostos’ focus was to train a cadre of healthcare para‐professionals that would serve the South Bronx and other underserved areas. His dream was for it to become a medical school. He le Hostos a er some years in order to pursue other interests. He was the execu ve director of the Regional Medical Program in Delaware. He was also director of the Division of Hospital Accredita on of the New York State Department of Health. As director, he was a strong advocate for the pa ents. He was responsible, among other achievements, for the department’s requirement that all hospitals post the Pa ent’s Bill of Rights in a visible loca on. He was a professor of the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine. He founded and/or led numerous Dominican organiza ons, including the Dominican Medical Society in NY, (where he served as president), Asociaciones Dominicanas, La Casa Dominicana, and Alianza Dominicana, among others. Moreover, a Day Care Center which is located in Hamilton Heights, NYC , carries the name of this visionary leader, “Dr. Nasry Michelen Day Care Center.” He was one of the founding members and the first Grand Marshal of the Dominican Day Parade. He is most proud of his three sons, seven grandsons and three great granddaughters, who will carry on his tradi on. His beloved wife who always felt very proud of him passed away in 2016. Bio wri en by Walid Michelen Program revision design—AGR
FOUNDING MEMBER AND FIRST PRESIDENT OF EUGENIO MARÍA DE HOSTOS COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2018 6:00 PM HOSTOS COMMUNITY COLLEGE /CUNY 475 Grand Concourse Bronx, New York 10451 A-Atrium (Between the A & C buildings)