Michael Lesser

Dr. Michael Lesser is a recognized leader in the public and hospital-based healthcare and crisis management space. He possesses wide-ranging experience as the director of major city-wide healthcare enterprises, hospitals and in the oversight of educational programs for medical professionals. In his recent positions as a Medical Director for New York City and State, he was instrumental in developing and implementing nationally recognized emergency and crisis response programs – including the training of law enforcement and first-responder agencies.

Michael has been at the forefront of public policy and educational efforts to effectively address mental health and substance abuse. Michael has also been active in designing effective mental health responses in the wake of terrorism attacks. As a practitioner and thought leader, he has a highly established track record of professional collaboration and problem solving throughout the state, federal and private sectors.

Michael received a B.S. from Brooklyn College and an M.D. from The Chicago Medical School. He did a residency in psychiatry at the Long Island Jewish – Hillside Medical Center and fellowship in psychopharmacology at the Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York. Among other positions, he served as Medical Director of the New York City Department of Mental Health Mental Retardation and Alcoholism Services as well as New York City Medical Director of the New York State Office of Mental Health.