Dr. Manuel Trujillo, the compassionate psychiatrist who became a pillar of emotional support for New Yorkers in the harrowing aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, has died at age 80. His leadership at Bellevue Hospital’s psychiatry department helped thousands—rescue workers, survivors, and grieving families—navigate unimaginable trauma during one of America’s darkest chapters .
Table of Contents
- Who Was Dr. Manuel Trujillo?
- His Critical Role After 9/11
- A Lasting Legacy in Mental Health
- Tributes Pour In From Colleagues and Patients
- Sources
Who Was Dr. Manuel Trujillo?
Born in Colombia and trained in both medicine and psychoanalysis, Dr. Trujillo moved to New York in the 1970s and quickly became a respected figure in psychiatric care. By 2001, he was serving as Director of Psychiatry at Bellevue Hospital—the nation’s oldest public hospital and a frontline institution during citywide crises .
Known for his calm demeanor, deep empathy, and bilingual fluency in English and Spanish, he connected with patients from all walks of life, especially underserved immigrant communities often overlooked in mental health services.
Dr. Manuel Trujillo’s Critical Role After 9/11
In the immediate hours after the Twin Towers fell on September 11, 2001, Bellevue became a hub for emergency medical and psychological response. While physical injuries were treated in triage tents, Dr. Trujillo mobilized a crisis counseling team that set up on-site support for firefighters, police officers, EMTs, and shell-shocked civilians.
“He didn’t wait for people to ask for help,” recalled Dr. Sarah Lin, a former colleague. “He walked into firehouses, community centers, even subway stations—anywhere trauma was festering—and offered a listening ear before PTSD could take root.”
Under his guidance, Bellevue launched one of the first large-scale, trauma-informed mental health outreach programs in U.S. history, eventually serving over 10,000 individuals in the months following the attacks .
Key Contributions During the Crisis
- Created mobile psychiatric units that deployed to Ground Zero
- Trained non-clinical staff in psychological first aid
- Advocated for long-term mental health funding for first responders
- Pioneered culturally sensitive care for Spanish-speaking victims
A Lasting Legacy in Mental Health
Beyond 9/11, Dr. Trujillo spent decades reshaping public psychiatry in New York. He championed de-stigmatization of mental illness, integrated psychiatric care into primary health settings, and mentored generations of young clinicians—many of whom now lead trauma response teams across the country.
His work influenced national protocols for disaster mental health, later adopted by FEMA and the American Psychiatric Association. Colleagues say his greatest gift was making people feel seen—even in silence.
Tributes Pour In From Colleagues and Patients
Following news of his passing, social media and hospital bulletin boards filled with heartfelt messages. A retired NYPD officer wrote: “Dr. Trujillo sat with me for three hours the night I couldn’t sleep after pulling bodies from the rubble. He never billed me. Just said, ‘You’re not alone.’”
NYC Mayor Eric Adams called him “a quiet giant of healing” and ordered flags at City Hall to be flown at half-staff in his honor.
Sources
The New York Times: Dr. Manuel Trujillo, 9/11 Mental Health Leader, Dies at 80