By Howard Koplowitz
Dr. Jon R. Cohen, former chief medical officer and senior vice president of North Shore-LIJ from 2001-06, was appointed by Paterson to advise him on health care issues.”Dr. Cohen's extensive background in the medical field makes him an excellent choice for this important role,” Paterson said in a statement. “He thoroughly understands the state's hospital network, its specific challenges and the investments that must be made to support the future quality of health care. He will be an invaluable advisor for my administration and I look forward to working with him.”In his roles at North Shore-LIJ, Cohen's duties included oversight of patient quality care and the performance of the system's education and clinical departments.Before he was chief medical officer at North Shore-LIJ, Cohen was an executive vice president of Long Island Jewish Medical Center and the chief of vascular surgery at that hospital.Cohen left LIJ for the accounting firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP, where he was managing director for health industry advisory services prior to the appointment.Cohen will receive a $160,500 salary as a senior advisor to Paterson – a post that does not require confirmation by the state Senate.He was a candidate for lieutenant governor in 2006, but withdrew after former Gov. Eliot Spitzer tapped Paterson as his running mate.Cohen advised Spitzer on health care issues during the 2006 campaign and filled similar roles in U.S. Sen. John Kerry's (D-Mass.) presidential campaign and H. Carl McCall's gubernatorial run in 2002.Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 173.
