Dozens gathered at NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens on Thursday, May 1, to celebrate the renaming of the hospital’s main pavilion in honor of the late Claire Shulman, the trailblazing former Queens Borough President who began her public service career as a nurse at the same hospital in the 1940s.
The newly renamed Claire Shulman Pavilion was unveiled during a sunlit ceremony attended by elected officials, hospital executives, community members and Shulman’s family and friends. Among those present were Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Dr. Mitchell Katz, NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens CEO Neil Moore, Schneps Media President Vicki Schneps, and Shulman’s children, Dr. Lawrence Shulman and former NASA astronaut Dr. Ellen Baker.
Shulman’s name will be permanently etched on the building she once walked in as a young nurse, cementing a legacy that spans decades of tireless advocacy for public health, infrastructure modernization, and civic equity across Queens.
From nurse to borough president
Born in Brooklyn in 1926, Claire Shulman trained as a nurse and began working at what was then Queens General Hospital, now NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens, in the late 1940s. She met her husband, psychiatrist Dr. Melvin Shulman, at the hospital, and their shared commitment to healthcare and community became a foundation of her public life.
Shulman’s entry into civic service began in the 1970s as chair of Community Board 11 and later as Director of Community Boards under Borough President Donald Manes. She was appointed Borough President in 1986 following Manes’ resignation and became the first woman to hold the post in Queens history. She won election to the position later that year and was reelected three more times, serving a total of 16 years until 2002, making her the longest-serving Queens Borough President at the time.
A legacy of investment in Queens’ future
Shulman’s administration oversaw sweeping changes that transformed Queens into a more connected, modern, and accessible borough. She championed infrastructure projects, including the extension of the AirTrain JFK, advocated for expanding the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, and played a central role in revitalizing Long Island City at a time when it was largely industrial.
In healthcare, her leadership helped secure over $150 million in capital funding to modernize Queens and Elmhurst Hospitals. These efforts laid the foundation for the Queens Cancer Center of Excellence and major emergency service expansions that today serve more than 400,000 patients annually.
“Claire Shulman was not only a pioneer but a fierce advocate for the health and well-being of Queens residents,” said Borough President Richards, who led the effort to rename the pavilion. “To see Claire’s career and legacy come full circle with the renaming of the Pavilion after her is moving beyond words.”
NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens CEO Neil Moore emphasized how Shulman fought to preserve the public nature of Queens Hospital during privatization threats in the 1990s. “Renaming this pavilion ensures her legacy of courage, compassion, and service lives on,” Moore said.
Dr. Mitchell Katz, President and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals, said Shulman was instrumental in saving Queens Hospital from privatization and transforming it into a respected institution. “It is only fitting we honor her by naming the Pavilion after her,” Katz said.
‘A training ground for leaders’
Melinda Katz, who worked under Shulman before becoming Queens Borough President herself from 2014 to 2019, spoke of her mentor’s impact.
“She considered herself a training ground for elected officials,” Katz said, recalling how Shulman anticipated the growth of Long Island City and unified city agencies to deliver results. “She taught me to put all the agencies at the table so they can’t all blame each other… and all that comes with being a great leader.”
Richards also credited Shulman’s support with helping him ascend to office. “If it weren’t for her support, guidance, and blessing, I certainly would not be here today,” he said. “It wasn’t Claire who made this hospital—it was the hospital that made Claire.”
Remembered by family and friends
Dr. Lawrence Shulman, a leading cancer specialist, said his mother was committed to bringing high-quality care to all Queens residents. “What she cared about was opening the door to the people who live in these neighborhoods. When they walk through that door, they know they are going to get the best healthcare possible,” he said.
Dr. Ellen Baker, a physician and veteran of three NASA space shuttle missions, added: “My mother was a fierce advocate for the people of Queens. She was a true public servant.”
Vicki Schneps, President of Schneps Media and one of Shulman’s closest friends, spoke about their decades-long relationship.
“Claire was not only my best friend in the world, she also mentored me,” Schneps said. “She put me under her wing, to be able to understand the borough of Queens… and being able to grow my ability to reach people in power.” Recalling one of their final conversations, Schneps added, “She really was my guiding light.”
Former Chief of Staff Alexandra Rosa also reflected on Shulman’s hands-on leadership. “Claire always credited her work as a nurse at Queens Hospital as the foundation for her approach to government work – don’t give up and work with others.”
A permanent legacy
The pavilion renaming builds on a 2021 tribute—the Claire Shulman Donor Wall, unveiled in the hospital atrium. Hospital officials say both efforts honor a legacy that transcends titles and positions.
As Queens continues to grow and evolve, Shulman’s imprint remains deeply embedded in its institutions—from the skyline of Long Island City to the hallways of the hospital where her public service began.
“She never felt the need to be honored in this way,” her children shared in a joint statement, “but we feel it is a fitting acknowledgment of her commitment to the hospital and her commitment to quality healthcare for everyone.”
