Shout Outs
By Office of the President | Oct 16, 2024
Shaping the Future of Neurotrauma Care: Dr. Barthélemy Receives Inaugural Award
Congratulations to Ernest J. Barthélemy, MD, MPH, MA, FCNS, Chief of the Division of Neurosurgery, who received the Inaugural Health Disparity in Neurotrauma Lectureship at the 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS),
held recently in Houston, Texas.
This significant award recognizes Dr. Barthélemy’s pivotal work in addressing inequities in neurotrauma care. His insightful lecture, “Health Disparities in Traumatic Brain Injury: The Role of Structural Violence,” showcased a decade of initiatives by the National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) to raise awareness of disparities in neurological diseases while also discussing the frameworks recently advanced by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) to promote health equity in neurotrauma care.
Dr. Barthélemy also served as faculty for two additional sessions at the CNS Meeting:
- “Prehospital Damage Control Resuscitation for Traumatic Brain Injury in the Austere Environment” at the CNS Symposium on Neurotrauma in Combat, Disaster, and Austere Environments.
- “Global Neurosurgery and the Black Neurosurgeon” presented at the CNS American Society of Black Neurosurgeons Breakfast Seminar.
Thank you, Dr. Barthélemy, for your leadership and commitment to advancing health equity, which exemplifies the critical role of leaders like you in shaping a more just and inclusive healthcare system.
Strong Downstate Presence at ACOG District II Meeting
Over 20 members of the Downstate community participated in the Annual District Meeting for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), held at the Marriott Brooklyn Bridge in late September. This year’s theme, “Navigating Now, Leading Through Change,” highlighted the current challenges and innovations shaping the field.
Representing Downstate were Camille A. Clare, M.D., MPH, Tenured Professor and Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Melanie Peters, M.D., MPH, Medical Student Clerkship Director, Angeliki Papavlassopulos, M.D., MPA, Core Residency Coordinator, Bobbie Holland, MPA, Department Administrator for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Takiya Swaby, Medical Student Educator coordinator, and Gladys Christophe, CNM, Director of Midwifery Services.
Dr. Clare, who currently serves as National Secretary for ACOG, was also recognized for her recent nomination as President-Elect, underscoring her influential leadership within the organization.
In addition to the faculty and administration fifteen College of Medicine students attended, with six presenting original research on important topics.
Student presenters and topics:
Joya Ahmad, MS4; Carla Hachicho, MS4 – Impact of Integrating Trauma-Informed Care Principles into Student-Led Ob/Gyn
Joseph Goldblatt, MS3 – Ultrasound Session, Influence of Male BMI on Male Fertility Outcome
Kelly Gorman, MS4 – A Case Series of Scar Endometriosis Presenting After Caesarean Section
Anna Lieberman, MS4; Polina Safovich, MS3 – The Impact of Changing Abortion Policies on Medical Students' Residency Selection
Essence Nipper, MS2 – Comparative Analysis of Depression During Pregnancy Versus Pre-Pregnancy Depression: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Implications for Maternal Health
Additional students attending included: Lea Sarmiento, MS3, Lauren Namkoong, MS4, Shannon Chen, MS4, Julia Fisher, MS3, Jessica Richman, MS3, Morgan Rotar, MS3, Vani Sardana, MS3, and Ingrid Gandra, MS3.
Downstate's strong showing at the meeting reflects the institution’s ongoing commitment to academic excellence and leadership in the field of obstetrics and gynecology.
Dr. Marla Sacks Honored with the 2024 Dr. Hilary Sanfey Award for Leadership in Surgery
Marla Sacks, M.D., PGY5 Chief Surgery Resident, has been awarded the 2024 Dr. Hilary Sanfey Award by the Association of Women Surgeons (AWS) Foundation. This prestigious recognition, previously known as the AWS Outstanding Resident Award,
was renamed to honor Dr. Sanfey, the first woman appointed as a Consultant General
Surgeon in Scotland and a trailblazer in the surgical profession.
The Sanfey Award is presented to surgical trainees in general surgery or surgical specialties who exhibit exceptional leadership potential and dedication to advancing the field. Dr. Sacks has distinguished herself through her work with the Global Pediatric Specialists Alliance, traveling to under-resourced countries to assist pediatric surgery teams in both operating rooms and rural clinics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she further demonstrated her commitment to global health by coordinating virtual education and operative planning sessions with pediatricians and surgeons in Vietnam.
In addition to her international efforts, Dr. Sacks is actively involved in the American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA) Ethics Committee, where she contributes to discussions on global pediatric surgery and supports relief efforts.
Dr. Sacks’ achievements exemplify the values of the Dr. Hilary Sanfey Award, as she continues to make an impact both locally and globally while demonstrating the leadership that will shape the future of surgery. The award will be presented on October 20 at the Association of Women Surgeons’ gala in San Francisco.
Look Back: A Pioneer in Nursing Leadership, Former College of Nursing Dean Dr. Ildaura Murillo Rohde
In honor of National Hispanic Nurses Day on September 22, Minority Nurse recently paid tribute to Ildaura Murillo Rohde, Ph.D., R.N., FAAN, a trailblazing Hispanic nursing leader who served as Dean of Downstate’s College
of Nursing from 1982 to 1987 and is best known for founding the National Association
of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) in 1975, serving as its president until 1980. Throughout
her distinguished career, Dr. Murillo-Rohde was a tireless advocate for Hispanic diversity
in nursing, emphasizing the vital role of cultural understanding in patient care.
She passed away on September 5, 2010, just one day before her 90th birthday, leaving
behind a legacy of advocacy and leadership.
National Hispanic Nurses Day launched on September 22, 2021, with the passage of House Resolution 674 by the U.S. House of Representatives, officially designating that date as National Hispanic Nurses Day. The resolution recognized the resilience and dedication of Hispanic nurses, particularly in light of their critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic. It underscored the essential contributions of Hispanic nurses in facilitating care for Spanish-speaking patients and strengthening the bond between medical providers and families.
Here at Downstate, we proudly celebrate Dr. Murillo Rohde’s legacy, continuing her mission to foster diversity in nursing and support culturally competent care for our communities.
Endocrine Education Day at Downstate
On October 9, Downstate hosted a dynamic Endocrine Education Day, sponsored by the Human Growth Foundation (HGF). The event brought together top pediatric endocrinologists from Downstate, who shared groundbreaking insights into rare and complex growth, bone, and endocrine disorders. This symposium not only highlighted cutting-edge research and treatments but also underscored Downstate’s critical role in providing advanced, specialized care that may be difficult to access elsewhere in Brooklyn.
Since its founding in 1965, HGF has been a leader in research, education, and advocacy for individuals affected by rare growth disorders. Their mission to improve early diagnosis and treatment aligns perfectly with Downstate’s own commitment to pushing the boundaries of healthcare access and innovation.
The Division of Pediatric Endocrinology at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University is at the forefront of providing specialized, multidisciplinary care to children and adolescents with a wide range of endocrine disorders. Our comprehensive programs encompass a wide range of conditions, including growth and thyroid conditions, puberty disorders, obesity, and insulin resistance. We are also home to the Pediatric Diabetes Program and are a New York State-designated Endocrine Specialty Center for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and congenital hypothyroidism. Our weight management programs, tailored for children and teens, focus on individualized, patient-centered care designed to promote healthy growth and effectively manage obesity.
The symposium also highlighted the strength of Downstate’s Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship program, which offers rigorous clinical training and cutting-edge research opportunities in areas such as diabetes, obesity, and thyroid disorders.
Downstate faculty speaking at the event included Vatcharapan Umpaichitra, M.D., Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics and Director of the Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship Program and the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology; Vivian L. Chin, M.D., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics/Pediatric Endocrinology; Elka Jacobson-Dickman, M.D., Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Associate Dean for Clinical Medicine in the College of Medicine; Haiyan Lu, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor Pediatrics; and Renee Bargman, M.D., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics.
The Impact of Diversity Gaps on STEM Innovation
Marcus Lambert, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Research Strategy and Operations at SUNY Downstate,
recently delivered the keynote at Duke University School of Medicine’s second annual
Equity Advancement Symposium. His presentation, “Unraveling the Paradox: Why STEM
Innovation Fails to Solve Its Own Diversity Crisis,” explored the persistent lack
of diversity in STEM and its impact on innovation. Dr. Lambert shared findings from
his research on systemic barriers and emphasized the need for mentorship networks
to help underrepresented groups advance.
He also pointed out how the lack of diversity weakens innovation. While research shows that diverse teams are more innovative, STEM fields still suffer from underrepresentation at many levels. Even when members of underrepresented groups contribute groundbreaking work, their efforts are often undervalued. This paradox, Dr. Lambert noted, highlights the critical need for removing the systemic obstacles that prevent true inclusion and equity in STEM.
Exploring New Frontiers in At-Home HIV Monitoring
Sabina Hirshfield, Ph.D., and José E. Diaz, Ph.D.
SUNY Downstate is making strides in HIV care, and recent research is tapping into the convenience of at-home blood collection to improve health monitoring for individuals in need. A recent multi-institution study, led by Downstate’s José E. Diaz, Ph.D., Assistant Research Professor, and Sabina Hirshfield, Ph.D., Visiting Associate Professor (STAR Program and Department of Medicine), explored how sexual minority men living with HIV who also have stimulant use disorders can use a home blood collection device to monitor their viral load. The goal? To make tracking health status easier, especially for those facing challenges with regular treatment.
The results are encouraging. More than 80 percent of participants successfully sent in their samples, proving that at-home blood collection is a viable option for many. While there are still a few kinks to work out—like making sure enough blood is collected for accurate readings—the project has shown that with clear instructions and teleconference support, this method can be a game-changer. It's all about empowering individuals to take charge of their health
Downstate’s Master’s Program in Nursing Ranked Among Top in New York
SUNY Downstate’s College of Nursing has been ranked #5 on Nursing Process’s list of the “25 Best MSN Programs in New York – 2024,” and #2 among nursing schools
in New York City. According to Nursing Process, what sets our Master’s Program apart is its strong commitment to diversity—over
70 percent of nursing students belong to minority groups.
Rankings like these matter because they reflect the quality of education and opportunities offered to students, helping us secure funding to support continued excellence in the program.