MEET DR. JACK KELLNER
Dr. Jack completed his internship in psychiatry at the former St. Vincents Hospital in Greenwich Village, and his residency in preventive medicine and public health at Mt. Sinai Medical Center. During this time, he earned a Master of Public Health degree at Columbia.
Dr. Jack worked for the New York City Department of Health as the Supervising Physician for School Health for Districts 3, 5 and 6. In this job, he personally worked in a number of public schools across the west side several days per week, providing assistance and guidance on the front lines with nurses in the school medical rooms and collaborating with education staff. At one point he oversaw the 504-medication program citywide, designing changes to protocols and procedures so that ill children could attend school along with their healthier peers. He was a proud member of the Doctors Council union, an elected union delegate, and on the union negotiating committee for city contracts.
During 9/11, while many were fleeing the disaster area downtown, Dr. Jack joined with other medical providers and headed into the dust cloud, to provide emergency medical services to survivors and other responders south of Canal Street. He described his experiences and service that day as a life-altering experience which forever committed him to serving all New Yorkers as well as his immediate community.
Volunteer work has always been an important part of Dr. Jack’s life. He has been a block association president, a tenants association president and once led a rent strike. He has served as a residency training director where he taught residents, interns, and medical students and served on the voluntary faculty at a medical school. He has also entertained New Yorkers, playing supporting roles in ballet and dance shows.
Since leaving the Department of Health, he’s earned a law degree at Fordham University. His experiences at the Fordham Law School reignited his interest in public service and directed him to look into how he could play a pivotal role in today’s legislature, which unfortunately has so few individuals with any medical background.
Within the Democratic Party, Dr. Jack has also served in the past as a club president and town chair in the northern suburbs, as well as a state committeeman.
Dr. Jack believes that our district needs a doctor now more than ever: to be healthier, more vibrant and safe, more equitable and unbiased – a better place to live for all of us.
