Dr. Jerry Cammarata wrote the original, The Fun Book of Fatherhood, in the early 70s and went on to becoming a weekly columnist in New York - Father’s Diary. As a result of his historic Paternity leave and the national attention it received, Jerry was appointed to the White House Conference on Families by President Carter in 1979. He worked with Coretta Scott King, among others, on shaping parenting issues for the Carter administration. 

As a result of his activism in family issues throughout the 70s, and 80s, as well as his commitment to public education, Jerry was appointed by New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani to be the Commissioner of the Department of Youth and Community Development. He concurrently held the post of member of the NYC Central Board of Education. 

In this unique capacity, Jerry was involved in the education of over one million public school students, as well as after school programs in community centers, schools and parks throughout the five boroughs. Jerry stayed a brief time as Commissioner of DYCD under Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and transitioned back to his roots in health care as the Associate Executive Director of Coney Island Hospital. 

Jerry Cammarata’s life has been filled with family and opportunity. Educated in both parochial and public schools, Jerry went on to Hofstra University and did post graduate work at NYU, CUNY and CCU. In addition to his doctorate from CCU, he holds honorary doctorates from Mercy College and Dowling College, and has enjoyed teaching privileges at CUNY, Wagner College, and St. Joseph’s College. Jerry is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist as well as a licensed and Board Certified Audiologist.

Over the last 45+ years, Jerry has continued to write on children and parenting issues, while enjoying his grandchildren, and returning to his clinical and academic roots as the Chief Operating Officer, Dean of Student Affairs, and Associate Professor at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine - NY.

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