Available to book

Public health leader & equity advocate

Ashwin Vasan

Transform mental health systems and advance health equity with Ashwin Vasan, public health leadership speaker. Vasan equips healthcare and policy leaders to tackle mental illness, social determinants of health, and marginalized population care, backed by his tenure as NYC Health Commissioner and Columbia University faculty.

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Trusted by Columbia University, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Fountain House, Partners In Health, World Health Organization

Ashwin Vasan

New York City, United States

Starting from

$11k–25k

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Book Ashwin

New York City, United States

Starting from

$11k–25k

Send an email

loading@getapeptalk.com

Give us a call

+44 203 835 2929

Enquire Ashwin Now

Instant quote

•

No upfront fee

•

Vetted speaker

Ashwin Vasan's biography

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At a glance

Physician advancing mental health and social equity
Former New York City Health Commissioner
Columbia University public health professor and academic

Ashwin Vasan, MD, PhD, works at the intersection of public health, mental illness, and social equity, bringing both clinical practice and systems-level leadership to some of America's most complex health challenges. A physician and academic, Vasan serves as Assistant Professor at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. He previously served as the 44th Commissioner of Health for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and as President and CEO of Fountain House, a national nonprofit focused on serious mental illness. His work has been covered by The New York Times, BBC News, and Forbes. Vasan's career spans frontline clinical work, municipal government, and global health. At the NYC Department of Health, he built the first municipal program addressing the overlap of clinical care and social welfare for marginalized populations. Earlier work with Partners In Health and the World Health Organization focused on expanding HIV/AIDS treatment access across multiple countries. Audiences working in healthcare, policy, or community leadership will come away with a grounded understanding of how mental health systems fail the most vulnerable, practical frameworks for building programs that centre lived experience, and evidence-based approaches to reducing health inequity at scale. Few speakers can move between a patient exam room, a city health department, and a global policy table. Vasan does, and that range is exactly what makes his perspective worth hearing.

Why we recommend booking Ashwin

Vasan's led NYC's entire health department, run a national mental health nonprofit, and still practises clinically, so he understands both system design and what actually works at the bedside. His frameworks around health equity and mental health integration are built from real municipal-scale implementation, not theory. Book if you're navigating clinical-social care models or building programmes for underserved populations.

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Trusted by Columbia University, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Fountain House, Partners In Health, World Health Organization

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How do I book Ashwin Vasan for my next event?

Email ashwin.vasan@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience. As speaker agents, PepTalk can secure Ashwin Vasan for commercial and corporate events, conference keynotes, leadership talks, celebrity brand endorsements & partnerships, personal appearances, and motivational speaking engagements. We can assist with enquiries about Ashwin Vasan's speaking fees, availability, and booking process for private business functions, industry conferences, and team events. Please note, for media interviews, autographs, charity appearances, or personal matters, we recommend contacting Ashwin Vasan directly.

What is Ashwin Vasan's speaking style like?

Previous bookers say Ashwin Vasan connects well with audiences and speaks with clarity, confidence, and ease.

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