During a visit to Harlem Hospital Sunday, Mayor Eric Adams announced a new loan forgiveness initiative for healthcare workers who focus on healing those suffering from mental health issues.
Adams joined NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Mitchell Katz on July 24 in gushing over an anonymous donor who gifted the city $1 million to reward first responders by forgiving their student loan debt. Since their education came with a hefty price tag of working in their communities, Adams’ initiative hopes to ease that burden so that they can concentrate on healing others rather than making ends meet.
“The behavioral health professionals in our public health system work tirelessly to support the most vulnerable New Yorkers living with mental illness and alcohol and substance use disorders,” Mayor Adams said. “Too often, these health care workers graduate with crippling debt and have no choice but to work in the private sector to pay off their bills. Especially at a time when the nation is facing a shortage of these lifesaving practitioners, and simultaneously facing an increased need for these professionals due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this loan forgiveness program will help us attract and retain top talent to continue serving New Yorkers across the city. I’m grateful to the anonymous donor for this generous donation, and I encourage other businesses and individuals to chip in if they are able to support this important cause.”
