Managing in Turbulent Times: Emerging Leaders in Public Health

Alumni

Otto G. Del CidOtto G. Del Cid, BS, MPA

Assistant Director, Department of Health and Mental hygiene

 

Area of work: Laboratory Information Systems

Otto was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala on May 17, 1964. He attended elementary school up to the middle of the fourth grade. One day, Otto's mother decided to head to the US in search of a better life for her and her five kids. She also decided to take his 56 year-old, grandmother with her and without hesitation. Otto's family came into the United States undocumented and with very little. His father, as Otto knew him then, stayed behind and decided to take the trip at a later time.

With five kids and a 56 year-old lady Otto's mother set out to the United States traveling by land and without looking back. His family traveled all of Mexico by land until they reached the State of Tijuana. Once in Tijuana , they waited a few weeks until the day came to walk the desert. Otto's family walked, in the middle of the night, for miles and miles in the middle just to have to come back because the truck that was supposed to pick us up was not able to make it. They waited another few days just to do it all over again. The second time around it happened; they reached the truck. Once in the truck Otto's family was not allowed to make noise once it came to a stop. At one point the truck was stopped for a search and you could hear police officers banging on the truck asking if anyone was inside. Everyone was scared but would not say a word.

Once they got around that hurdle, Otto and his family reached San Diego where they stayed for a day, and the trip continued until they reached Los Angeles. From Los Angeles they were able to fly to New York City where Otto has lived for the past 31 years.

Otto has studied in the public school system until he decided to get a Masters of Public Administration degree at Long Island University. Before that, he attended a City of New York community college, The College of Staten Island, where he earned an Associate and Bachelor degree in Medical Technology. Soon after Otto earned the Bachelor degree, he was interviewed by the City of New York Department of Health where he was offered a position as a Laboratory Microbiologist Level II. Otto accepted the position where he began my careen in Public Health. After working in Public Health for 8 years as a Laboratory Microbiologist, Otto decided to earn the MPA degree, which he was able to complete in one year and a half.

Soon after earning the MPA degree, New York City was hit with a Bioterrorism attack. Anthrax spores were introduced to the public through the mail system. The Public Health Laboratory where Otto was employed became the testing laboratory for these types of samples. A colleague recruited Otto to gather information regarding how samples were coming in, and how is the laboratory conducting the testing and reporting phases.

The NYC Anthrax crisis of 2001 forced Otto to learn how to use computers, design develop and implement new systems in order to respond appropriately to these kinds of emergencies.

What I would like to get out of this program:

What I would like to gain out of this program is to be able to further develop my skills as a manager and be able to contribute not just to my community, but rather to the City of New York and hopefully, one day, to the Nation.