Holiday Cheer
By Office of the President | Jan 10, 2023
Officer Santa Claus Visits Downstate
I extend a note of special gratitude and thanks to the NYPD 63rd Precinct Community Council and NYPD Police Officer Santa Claus for the annual visit to Downstate to bring toys to children. This long-standing tradition remains one of the most critical times for children who are being cared for in the Peds Unit at UHD.
MVP Foundation Provides Joy to Sick Children with Another Dream Gift Toy Drive
Manhattan Ventures Partners Foundation (MVP Foundation), a long-time supporter of SUNY Downstate’s Pediatrics Unit, celebrated its fifth year of generosity to the sick and chronically ill children treated in the Peds Unit. Regardless of background, the children are invited to choose a gift they want for the holiday—many of them asking Santa for a “dream gift.” Through generous donations obtained by the MVP Foundation, these gifts are purchased and delivered to the Pediatrics Unit at Downstate for distribution. MVP Foundation purchases the gifts, and parents and guardians present them to their children.
Special thanks to Patricia A. Winston, DNP, MS, R.N., Chief Operating Officer, and Senior Vice President for Hospital Operations, who accepted the donation on behalf of Downstate from MVP Foundation executive director Jared Carmel. For the last five years, Lisa Smith, Director of the Child Life & Parenting Education Program, and Structured Cabling I.T. Staff Assistant Jimmy Doyle have been collecting toys for children through the generous efforts of MVP. However, their annual toy donation drive began at Downstate more than a decade ago.
Thank you, MVP Foundation, for your continued generosity toward Downstate’s sick children.
Downstate Celebrates Hannukah
with Menorah Lighting
Thank you to David H. Berger, M.D., MHCM, UHD chief executive officer, Keydron K. Guinn, Ph.D., senior vice president and chief of staff, Yosef Yitzchok Holzman, MRb, MTJ, Rabbinical Chaplain and COM assistant professor and the Downstate faculty, staff and students who attended the annual menorah lighting to celebrate Hannukah.
This annual celebration reaffirms the ideals of Judaism, commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem by lighting candles on each of the festival’s eight days.
Downstate’s diversity was reflected through a welcoming and cheery event with Dr. Berger and Rabbi Holzman atop the cherry picker!
Tags: University Police, Holidays