Shout Outs
By Office of the President | May 23, 2024
Dr. Ramaswamy Viswanathan Named President of the American Psychiatric Association
Congratulations to Ramaswamy Viswanathan, M.D., DrMedSc, professor and interim chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,
on his appointment as President of the American Psychiatric Association (APA). This
prestigious position marks a first for both Brooklyn and the entire SUNY system. Dr.
Viswanathan’s term began this month and will continue through May 2025.
His achievements were celebrated at the Downstate Psychiatry Celebratory Conference earlier this month. The event included a half-day program showcasing Downstate's cutting-edge scientific research, comprehensive clinical services, and nationally recognized training programs. Several alumni and invited speakers delivered impressive presentations covering topics from bench to bedside.
Kudos to Dr. Viswanathan! We look forward to witnessing your remarkable accomplishments as the president of the APA.
Read the press release here.
ACCME Launches Working Group to Enhance Patient Engagement
At the ACCME’s Annual Meeting, “Learn to Thrive 2023,” the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) announced the formation of the Engaging Patients in Continuing Education Working Group. This group, led by Edeline Mitton, MEd, MPH, Downstate Director of Continuing Medical Education; Cristina Graham, Director of Education and Professional Development at the American Epilepsy Society Leticia Bresnahan, UT San Antonio, and patient partner Aaron Battle, focuses on enhancing patient engagement in continuing education. They tackled topics such as patient approach strategies, stakeholder engagement, caregiver orientation, CE staff responsibilities, administrative challenges, and common pitfalls.
The group employs a patient-led methodology, emphasizing the invaluable role of patient perspectives in continuing education. Their goal is to create meaningful educational partnerships with patients, families, and the public. A notable outcome is the “Battle Scale,” developed to increase patient partner involvement in CE activities. This framework allows for gradual involvement from simple projects to complex engagements.
The final Roadmap tool, incorporating the ‘Battle Scale,’ was presented at the ACCME Annual Meeting in Chicago. The working group’s efforts to integrate patients and caregivers into continuing education are commendable, providing valuable insights and resources for CE providers to include these perspectives in their programs.
Downstate Residents Shine at NYSPMR Research Night 2024
Two Downstate residents received awards at the New York Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Research Night 2024. Anam Purewal-Kossack, M.D., a third-year postgraduate (PGY3), secured second place with her study titled "Health Outcomes of Pediatric Burn Injuries: A Nationwide Analysis." Rebecca Takele, D.O., a second-year postgraduate (PGY2), earned a tie for third place with her presentation on "EMG-Guided Onabotulinum Injections to Pelvic Floor Muscles."
Advocating for Better Access to Physical Therapy
In recent weeks, the proactive PT students from the Class of 2024 took a significant step towards impacting physical therapy legislation. Representing SUNY Downstate on Physical Therapy Lobby Day, they engaged with local legislators, championing three pivotal bills that promise to enhance patient care in New York.
Their advocacy focused on expanding direct access to physical therapist services, enabling PT assistants to treat patients under Workers' Compensation, and capping co-payments for physical therapy sessions. These measures are aligned with the American Physical Therapy Association New York's objectives to improve healthcare outcomes and accessibility.
The legislative offices were alive with productive discussions, thanks to our students' preparedness and passion:
- Kerry Thelusmond, Chasity Duran, and Shamir Morrison met with Council Member Mercedes Narcisse of the 46th Council District.
- Allen Jacob and Duran Kasaj discussed key issues with Assemblymember Sam Pirozzolo's Chief of Staff of Assembly District 63.
- Shaliza Ally, Johnnathan Martinez, and Annamaria Lombardi engaged with Assemblymember Clyde Vanel of District 33 through his Legislative Director, Tyler Fritzhand.
- Anh-Tuan Tran, Jusmine Gabrielle Soriano, Randy Fang, Kingston Wong, and Yejin Kim had a significant meeting at the office of Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn of District 42.
These engagements are not just about presenting a stance but about making real changes. Congratulations to all the students involved for their dedication and for representing SUNY Downstate with such professionalism and zeal. Keep pushing boundaries and making your voices heard!
Showcasing Undergraduate Nursing Research at SUNY Downstate
On April 23, the College of Nursing held its impactful Research Day, presenting 22 posters by undergraduate Accelerated Nursing students. These projects, covering vital areas like health disparities, infection prevention, pain management, and workplace violence, exemplify the college's commitment to integrating research with clinical practice. This approach not only enriches the educational experience but also ensures that the research directly enhances patient care and addresses critical public health challenges.
Thank you and congratulations to all the students and faculty involved in this event, and a special congratulations to Adrian Chan, Oheneba Amponsah, and Amar Garadi, who stood out with their research on preventing central line-associated bloodstream infections in hospital settings. Their work earned them a well-deserved opportunity to present at the University Hospital’s Nurses’ Week research event on May 8 and a prize from the audience. This achievement highlights how SUNY Downstate fosters a vibrant culture of inquiry that is integral to advancing healthcare. Keep up the great work!
