Dr. Billy E. Jones
Dr. Jones is a board-certified Psychiatrist and Health Care Administrator. He has served as President and CEO of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC), the nation’s largest municipal health care system, which included the New York City Emergency Medical Service. Prior to his appointment as HHC’s President, Dr. Jones was Commissioner of the New York City Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Alcoholism Services, the largest local mental hygiene system in the world. Previously, he was Medical Director of the Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx and was Senior Associate Dean of New York Medical College, where he was a tenured Professor of Psychiatry.
Dr. Jones grew up in Dayton, Ohio as the middle of three children. His father was a factory worker and his mother was a part-time domestic worker, together they sent all three children to college. Dr. Jones earned his BS from Howard University and his MD from Meharry Medical College. He completed his residency in psychiatry at New York Medical College, and some years later, he was a Kellogg Fellow in Health Care Policy at New York University’s Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, where he earned his MS.
Dr. Jones served on active duty in the U.S. Army and attained the rank of Major. He served for a year in Vietnam and a year in the Army Surgeon General Office in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Jones is the author of numerous articles, chapters, and books on caring for African Americans, the homeless mentally ill and LGBTQ+ members. He is a coeditor of “Black Mental Health, Patients, Providers, and Systems” published by APA press. Dr. Jones is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the APA, the American College of Psychiatrists, the New York Academy of Medicine and is a Past President of the Black Psychiatrists of America. He is currently Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and has a small private practice in New York City. Dr. Jones has been an active board member of SAGE, Black Agency Executives, and The Riverside Church Council, and is currently serving on the Health Care Board of Housing Works.
Dr. Jones married Mr. Lewis E. Duckett after 46 years as a couple, and this year, they will celebrate their 56th anniversary. They are the fathers of one son, Alexander (deceased), and the proud grandfathers of one granddaughter, Gabriella.