HOSA Honors Deputy Assistant Secretary Ed Gabriel

It is with profound sadness and deep personal regret that we inform you that Deputy Assistant Secretary Edward Gabriel died on Sunday, January 5 after a brief Illness.   Mr. Gabriel was stricken suddenly after returning from holiday with his family in New York.  Despite heroic efforts and expert care, he succumbed to his illness.

HOSA-Future Health Professionals honors Mr. Gabriel as a true friend to the organization.  He spoke at the 2015 International Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California and recognized the Public Health Leadership Seminar recipients with their plaques.

While HOSA members were attending the HOSA Public Health Leadership Seminar in Washington, DC, Mr. Gabriel would always stop by the leadership meeting and speak to the student leaders.  He gave each a “challenge coin” and took time to visit with each.  Mr. Gabriel provided us with such a special experience that was unforgettable.

Yes, special and unforgettable – words that well describe Ed Gabriel.

Mr. Gabriel served in ASPR for eight years as a senior leader and at the time of his death was serving as the vanguard for ASPR-FEMA integration   Prior to joining ASPR, Ed served as a senior executive for Disney as Director of Global Crisis Management and Business Continuity.  Previous to that, Ed was Deputy Commissioner for Preparedness for the New York City Mayor’s office and previously served as Chief of Emergency Medical Services for the New York City Fire Department where he served heroically at the World Trade Center on September 11th.

His passing is a significant loss for ASPR, HHS, the Interagency and for many of us who worked, knew and loved him as well.

Ed was a very good man:  Dedicated to his family, the mission and service to our Country.  And – he was passionate about the mission of HOSA-Future Health Professionals.

His wife, Patty, and daughters, Elizabeth and Victoria, will have a separate memorial service for Mr. Gabriel in DC at a later date.  (His funeral services will be on Sunday, January 12 in New York.)