Dedication to Health Care Reform
Martin Begun had a long lasting career at New York University’s School of Medicine. He began his career there in 1963 as an administrator and professor and retired in 1997 as Senior Associate Dean and Vice President of External Affairs. During his tenure at NYU, he was a strong advocate on behalf of the homeless and mentally ill during a time when they were overlooked by the medical community, and wrote an article in 1985 entitled “Crossroads for the Mentally Ill Homeless.” His dedication to these underserved populations led him to serve as chairman of the Community Services Board of the city’s Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Alcoholism Services from 1974-1994.
![Letter from Mayor Edward Koch thanking Begun for his support of the Administration's plan to expand services to homeless mentally ill individuals Letter from Mayor Edward Koch thanking Begun for his support of the Administration's plan to expand services to homeless mentally ill individuals](http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/omeka/files/thumbnails/cd07d65cf5f2334a9af7e19e169d369b.jpg)
Letter from Mayor Edward Koch thanking Begun for his support of the Administration's plan to expand services to homeless mentally ill individuals
![Press Release from the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services regarding Martin Begun's appointment as chairman of its advisory board Press Release from the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services regarding Martin Begun's appointment as chairman of its advisory board](http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/omeka/files/thumbnails/892e9ee86fe0f3f4e0fbc0b6665feed9.jpg)
Press Release from the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services regarding Martin Begun's appointment as chairman of its advisory board
![Letter from Governor Mario Cuomo thanking Begun for his support to raise the legal purchase age for alcoholic beverages to 21 Letter from Governor Mario Cuomo thanking Begun for his support to raise the legal purchase age for alcoholic beverages to 21](http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/omeka/files/thumbnails/29f8bb06f81ec7df4644e54c402f6b74.jpg)
Letter from Governor Mario Cuomo thanking Begun for his support to raise the legal purchase age for alcoholic beverages to 21
![Document designating Martin Begun as Chairman of the Advisory Board to the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services Document designating Martin Begun as Chairman of the Advisory Board to the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services](http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/omeka/files/thumbnails/8a2828ae6e914daaa4a1853f0d03a927.jpg)
Document designating Martin Begun as Chairman of the Advisory Board to the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services