Elmhurst Infectious Disease Center

NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst Renames Infectious Disease Center in Honor of Dr. Joseph Masci

May 15, 2026 | Official Press Release Here

NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst today announced the renaming of its Infectious Diseases Center and Program in honor of Dr. Joseph R. Masci, a beloved physician, educator, and global health leader whose decades of service left an indelible mark on the hospital and the communities it serves. Dr. Masci passed away in 2022 following a 40-year career at Elmhurst Hospital and Mount Sinai.

Having served as Elmhurst Hospital’s Director of Medicine for more than fifteen years, Dr. Masci was instrumental in shaping the hospital’s Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, and Global Health Program. His visionary leadership helped establish Elmhurst Hospital as a leader in infectious disease treatment and research.

Dr. Masci founded Elmhurst Hospital’s HIV program in 1982, during the early years of the AIDS epidemic and at a time when the disease was not widely understood. Over the course of his career, he held numerous leadership roles at the hospital, including Chief of Infectious Diseases and Director of Internal Medicine. He also founded Elmhurst Hospital’s Global Health Department, expanding the hospital’s impact far beyond New York City.

Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Masci was widely respected for his deep compassion for patients, his mentorship of generations of clinicians, and his dedication to advancing care both locally and globally. His generosity, kindness, and commitment to underserved communities continue to define the culture of care at Elmhurst Hospital to this day.

“Dr. Masci was more than a physician—he was a transformative figure whose compassion and deep concern for others modeled exactly how clinicians should care for patients with infectious diseases,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst Chief Executive Officer Alina Moran. “He made an impact not just in our small corner of Queens, but also globally through his academic work and overseas missions. Renaming our Infectious Diseases Center after him ensures that his legacy continues to guide our growth and inspire future generations.”

“Dr. Masci’s impact on Elmhurst Hospital and the way we provide care has been immeasurable,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst Chief Medical Officer Dr. Laura Iavicoli. “He built a model of infectious disease care rooted in compassion, scientific rigor and treating the most vulnerable and marginalized people in our society with dignity and respect. This clinic renaming allows us to create a lasting, tangible tribute reflecting his many years of service and the profound influence he had on generations of patients and physicians.”

“Dr. Masci was a devoted Professor of Medicine whose career was defined by an unwavering commitment to patients with limited access to care,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst Vice Chair of the Department of Medicine Dr. Joan Curcio. “He possessed a rare insight into the strengths of those around him, consistently recognizing and cultivating leadership in others. Generous with both his time and talents, his influence will continue through the many individuals he mentored and the patients he served.”

“Over decades of tireless dedication and advocacy, Dr. Masci helped shape the Elmhurst Infectious Disease Program into one that is both nationally respected and internationally recognized,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Chief of Infectious Diseases and Elmhurst Hospital’s Infectious Diseases Division Director Dr. Maurice Policar. “His expansive vision was matched with the passion and conviction to turn ideas into meaningful, lasting change. An exceptional physician and educator, he embodied the principles of humanistic medicine in every aspect of his work. Dr. Masci was an advocate, a scientist, and, above all, a deeply compassionate physician who exemplified equitable, nonjudgmental care at the highest level. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched.”

In addition to his work at Elmhurst Hospital, Dr. Masci extended his expertise globally, partnering with hospitals in Ethiopia and Russia, educating United Nations medical staff, and serving as a noted professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. His work across borders helped strengthen healthcare systems and improve outcomes in underserved communities worldwide.

Today, Elmhurst Hospital’s Infectious Diseases Center which serves around 10,000 patients annually and receives over 17,000 visits per year, continues to provide care to one of the most diverse patient populations in the country. Services are provided for those living with HIV, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases, as well as education and community outreach programs.

For more information on programs and services at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, please call 718-334-4000 or visit us at nychealthandhospitals.org. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook at @elmhursthosp.