Recapping 2022

By Office of The President | Jan 10, 2023

I extend good wishes to everyone for a happy and prosperous new year and my appreciation to you as a part of the SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University family. Our achievements during 2022 leave me hopeful about 2023.

Downstate is a desired institution. Last year, our five schools and colleges received more than 7,000 applications, which is actually lower than pre-pandemic numbers. The College of Nursing and the School of Public Health both saw gains in the same time frame—likely in response to the pandemic, the need for nurses amid an ongoing and critical shortage, as well as the need for more public health professionals.

Let me share some 2022 highlights and plans for 2023. We enrolled more than 2,100 students in 29 different degree programs and more than 900 resident physicians and fellows in 51 accredited specialty and sub-specialty programs. We remain ranked in the top four percent of postgraduate medical training programs.

The College of Medicine remains the largest medical school by enrollment—859 students—among the four SUNY medical schools and currently, the second largest by enrollment in New York City. However, we remain in the top 15 percent of the nation out of 155 AAMC-accredited medical schools in the United States.

Last year, the Downstate Biotechnology Incubator, and Tech@710 for start-up businesses, and BioBAT for larger mature firms all had great successes. Thirty-six companies collectively created or retained nearly 500 jobs, increased revenue by $49M, and acquired $243M in federal and non-governmental funds. Twenty-two companies are active participants in Start-Up New York, a tax-free New York state program encouraging business partnerships with colleges and universities. Ten companies filed for, or were awarded patents, and two concluded licensing agreements. 

Downstate’s commitment to diversity positively impacts Brooklyn communities and neighborhoods through its core values of diversity and inclusion incorporated into our academic, clinical, research, and workforce initiatives. We build and enhance community partnerships, work in underserved communities, address health inequities and social determinants of health, target health issues affecting our communities, build education pathways, and innovate research with community impact.

Last July, Downstate launched the Office for Institutional Equity (OIE), a new campus-wide, centralized hub to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging across Downstate that resulted from the merger of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the College of Medicine’s Office of Diversity Education and Research. OIE oversees programs to attract, recruit, train, and retain a diverse community of students, faculty, clinicians, and staff, reflecting a broad view of diversity.

A newly-established research advisory structure consists of an overarching Research Advisory Council (RAC), and four focused Research Advisory Committees, including Human (HRAC), Laboratory (LRAC), High-Performance Computing (HPC), and Clinical Trials (CTAC) have enhanced faculty members’ vital contributions toward new endeavors. Ongoing initiatives to support faculty research include a Grant Writing Consultancy, Proposal Development Support, and Seed Grant programs.

University Hospital at Downstate (UHD) still faces a deficit that is amplified in part by its 2020 designation as a COVID-only hospital. We continue working with elected officials to obtain critical support for Downstate.

UHD increased transplant volumes, completing 100 kidney transplants since June 2021 in Brooklyn’s only kidney transplantation program. UHD’s “We Care” high-reliability, zero-harm quality improvement campaign is aimed at providing patients the best outcomes and highest value care. Daily safety huddles, interdisciplinary rounds, new patient-care safety processes, and innovative thinking are encouraged and applied across all hospital sectors with concrete results.

We anticipate movement on imminent “shovels-in-the-ground” projects, including our long-awaited cafeteria project, parking lots, and new student housing.

This message, unfortunately, cannot touch on all of the achievements of 2022. Please know, however, that each achievement is acknowledged and appreciated. Last year was one of cautious progress for Downstate, even as we navigated a waning yet still-present pandemic. We continue to take safeguards in work environments to protect our space, colleagues, and our families.

I extend congratulations and gratitude to everyone for making Downstate your choice for education, employment, and professional practice. Without you, these accomplishments would not be possible.