LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Leo V. Stimmler, LCSW, CASAC, Associate
Director of Chemical Dependency, upon the occasion of his retirement

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the
significant milestones in the distinguished careers of esteemed resi-
dents of this noble Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Leo
V. Stimmler, LCSW, CASAC, Associate Executive Director of Chemical
Dependency, upon the occasion of his retirement; and
WHEREAS, After 34 distinguished years, Leo Stimmler is retiring from
the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation; and
WHEREAS, Leo Stimmler joined the New York City Health and Hospitals
Corporation (HHC), on June 16, 1975, after graduating from the Fordham
University School of Social Work; he was hired by the Kings County
Hospital's Bedford-Stuyvesant Addiction Treatment Center; under the
leadership of Andrew W. Abrahams, M.D., the Bed-Stuy Treatment Center
operated a detoxification unit, a halfway house and one of the largest
drug-free, outpatient clinics in the country, all at one site; in 1976,
Mr. Stimmler was promoted to social work supervisor and, eventually,
the head of the social work department; and
WHEREAS, In 1985, Leo Stimmler was hired to administer the HHC drug
and alcohol treatment program at a fellow HHC facility, the Cumberland
Diagnostic and Treatment Center; he wrote successful grant applications
for adolescent treatment, homeless families, acupuncture, womens'
services, parolees and homeless veterans; and
WHEREAS, In 1988, some of the homeless patients complained to Leo
Stimmler that it was difficult attending treatment at Cumberland during
the day only to return to the shelter at night, to a drill floor with
700 beds in an armory facility pervaded by drugs and alcohol; and
WHEREAS, Leo Stimmler asked Cumberland's senior administrator to help
him convince the director of the Atlantic Mens Shelter to set aside a
separate room for 10 patients living in the shelter who were simultane-
ously attending alcohol and drug treatment programs; upon agreement of
this proposal and it moving forward, on April 22, 1989, an article in
the NEW YORK TIMES described the history and success of the first drug
free dorm in a city shelter; and
WHEREAS, Within six years, the outpatient clinic census at Cumberland
increased from 12,000 annual outpatient visits to 48,000, according to
the New York City Bureau of Health Statistics; between January 1, 1988,
and December 31, 1991, the number of deaths from drug abuse in Fort
Greene, Brooklyn decreased from 30 percent to 10 percent; in 1998, Leo
Stimmler was assigned responsibility for administering the Woodhull
Chemical Dependency Program as well as Cumberland's;
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Kathleen, their two
sons, Colin and Chad, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his
life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the occurrence of such a compassionate blend-
ing of strength, leadership, and commitment as that demonstrated by Leo
Stimmler over a lifetime of sacrifice and dedication to others; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Leo V. Stimmler, LCSW, CASAC, Associate Director of Chemical
Dependency, upon the occasion of his retirement; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Leo V. Stimmler.