Shout-Outs
By Office of the President | Oct 30, 2023
Honoring FM&D's Year-Round Dedication to Downstate Excellence
Every October, the significant contributions of the FM&D teams in creating a conducive environment for everyone on our campus are celebrated during National Health Care Facilities and Engineering Week, honoring their pivotal role in creating a secure, clean, enjoyable, and efficient atmosphere for our campus.
Beyond attending to immediate concerns like water leaks or temperature issues, the Facilities Management & Development (FM&D) department plays a broader role. Comprising dedicated professionals, including architects, engineers, planners, and more, FM&D ensures a clean, safe, and efficient campus.
Working around the clock, they ensure essential utilities are uninterrupted, enabling the Downstate community to pursue their educational, research, and healthcare missions. Their core responsibilities encompass planning, designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining the campus.
Thank you to the entire FM&D department as they continue to enhance Downstate, with visible projects like the ongoing renovation of the campus dining facilities and crucial behind-the-scenes work like upgrading boilers and electrical systems.
Downstate Nursing Educators and Catholic Charities Promote Aging in Place Initiatives
SUNY Downstate’s College of Nursing has partnered with Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens to offer “Aging in Place” workshops at affordable housing sites to assist low-income seniors and their families with resources and services for aging comfortably at home. Held at the Pope Francis Apartments in Brooklyn and led by the College of Nursing faculty, the 90-minute sessions covered topics like tenant safety, fall prevention, cognitive decline communication techniques, and recognizing medical distress.
Thank you to the Downstate Nursing faculty involved in this project, including Kathleen Bratby, Ed.D., RN; Barbara Kitchener, Ph.D., BSN, MA, RN; Veronica L. P. Arikian, Ph.D., RN; and Joanne Ritter-Teitel, Ph.D., MA, RN.
Downstate’s LMSA Debuts ‘Rostros Latinos’ on Instagram
The Latino Medical Student Association at Downstate recently launched an Instagram
series, ‘Rostros Latinos,’ featuring a profile of Yanilka Rodriguez, COM 26. Yanilka is driven by her Latin heritage in her pursuit of a medical career
and is dedicated to providing all-encompassing care, especially to the Latino community,
ensuring they receive essential guidance for wellness. Yanilka also sits on the Downstate
LMSA chapter E-board and co-leads the Downstate America Reads program. See Yanilka’s profile here.
SOHP Student Elected as New York State APTA Student Council Representative
Congratulations to Madjena Joseph, SOHP DPT 24, on her election as New York State American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Student Council Representative. She is responsible for updating PT students about APTA’s national events and ensuring their participation. Madjena recently attended the APTA NY Annual Student Conference in Rochester, where she moderated a session, Community Engagement and Diversity, alongside Downstate alumnus and conference keynote speaker Sean Thomas, SOHP 12. She also engaged with Congress members on key legislative matters at the APTA National Summit in Washington, D.C.
Deputy CIO Shares Expertise in Ransomware Preparedness
Dilip Nath, AVP and deputy chief information officer, was a key presenter at the recent Healthcare Triangle Inc. webinar, focusing on Ransomware Preparedness for Healthcare. Drawing from his vast experience, Dilip provided essential insights and tactics to bolster the resilience of healthcare institutions against the rising tide of ransomware threats.
Downstate Scores Big with Multiple Team Honors at the 2023 OnCon Icon Awards
Congratulations to University Hospital at Downstate (UHD) for winning the Top 50 Operations Team and Top 100 Technology Team awards at the 2023 OnCon Icon Awards. Award winners, chosen by public vote, were
recognized for their successful impact, innovative projects, thought leadership, and
outstanding team leadership. Well done!