The Council consists of the Commissioner of Health and eight other members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. Seven of the members must have had experience having rendered them knowledgeable in the various aspects of blood banking services, and may include but shall not be limited to, representatives of voluntary and commercial blood banks, representatives of hospitals, and physicians. One member shall be a representative of the public.

Council Members as of June 2024

Timothy Hilbert, M.D., Ph.D., J.D.
Chair
​Medical Director, Blood Bank and Transfusion Service
NYU Langone Medical Center
New York, NY
Resident of New York County
Term expires 12/31/2022

Joanne Becker, M.D.
Roswell Park Cancer Center
Buffalo, NY
Resident of Erie County
Term expires 12/31/2026

Rachel Elder, M.D.
Laboratory Director
Crouse Hospital
Syracuse, NY
Resident of Madison County
Term expires 12/31/2026

David Huskie, R.N.
Public Representative
Resident of Rensselaer County
Term expires 12/31/2022

Jessica Jacobson, M.D.
Laboratory Director and Chief of Pathology
Director Blood Bank and Transfusion Medicine
New York City Health + Hospitals / Bellevue
New York, NY
Resident of New York County
Term expires 12/31/2024

Phillip McCarthy, Jr., M.D.
Blood and Marrow Transplant Program
Roswell Park Cancer Institute
Buffalo, NY
Resident of Erie County
Term expires 12/31/2024

Beverly Rauch
Commissioner’s Designee
Deputy Director, Division of Laboratory Quality Certification
Wadsworth Center
Resident of Rensselaer County
Term expires - until revoked or modified

Amy Schmidt, M.D., Ph.D.
Medical Director of Transfusion Medicine and Blood Collections 
Director of Quality - HCA Healthcare Continental Division Center Physician – Octapharma
Syracuse, NY
Resident of Onondaga County
Term expires 12/31/2022

Vacancies resulting from a Council member's resignation, non-renewal, or the completion of term shall be filled with candidates who meet the requirements of the membership as provided for in PHL section 3121. 

One position is currently vacant. Candidates interested in the vacancy process can reach out to brp@health.ny.gov_[1].

Members are eligible for reimbursement of expenses directly related to attendance at meetings.

• Costs FY 20/21 $0
• Costs FY 21/22 $0
• Costs FY 22/23 $0
• Anticipated costs FY 23/24 <$1000