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Shout Outs

By Office of the President | Jan 14, 2025

Dr. Enitza George Joins National Task Force on AI in Family Medicine

photo of Enitza George, M.D.

Enitza George, M.D., MBA, MSAI, Chair of Family and Community Health, has been appointed to a prestigious two-year task force by the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) to explore responsible uses of AI in family medicine education.

The task force will focus on integrating ethical, outcome-driven AI solutions to support family medicine teams. From reducing routine tasks to empowering educators as AI leaders, Dr. George and her colleagues aim to shape a brighter, more efficient future for clinicians, educators, and researchers.


Dr. Salvador Dura-Bernal Talks AI and Brain Research in MetaCell Webinar

photo of Salvador Dura-Bernal, Ph.D.Salvador Dura-Bernal, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Physiology & Pharmacology, recently served as a panelist in a MetaCell webinar on “AI in Life Sciences.” MetaCell, a leader in life science-focused software, hosted the event, which explored training AI models with biological data, cloud-based data labeling and storage, and customizable AI tools.

Dr. Dura-Bernal, renowned for his work in computational simulations and mathematical models to study brain function and disorders, shared insights from his collaboration with MetaCell on large-scale brain modeling projects. Watch the webinar here.


Yanilka Rodriguez Wins Hispanic Health Scholarship 

photo of Yanilka Rodriguez

Third-year M.D./MPH student Yanilka Rodriguez earned the 2024 National Hispanic Health Foundation (NHHF) 2024 Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarship receiving $5,000 annually for up to four years!

Recognized for her academic excellence, leadership, and dedication to underserved communities, Yanilka represents the best in healthcare’s future. She was honored at the Hispanic Health Scholarship Gala on December 4, 2024, in Washington, D.C.


Officer Santa Claus Delivers Smiles: 12 Years of Holiday Cheer at UHD

group photo

Thank you again to Officer Santa Claus and the 63rd Precinct Community Council for spreading holiday magic! For the 12th year, you’ve brought toys, joy, and countless smiles to the children at the University Hospital at Downstate.

Your dedication to brightening the holidays for our young patients and their families is fantastic. These moments of happiness mean so much, especially during challenging times, and they remind us of the holiday’s true spirit.

Thank you for continuing this cherished tradition and being vital to our community.


Dr. Michael Myers Makes Headlines: One of 2024’s Best Quotes

photo of Michael Myers, M.D.

MedPage Today spotlighted Michael Myers, M.D., Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, in its year-end wrap-up of 2024’s most impactful quotes. Reflecting on a study about physician PTSD during COVID-19, Dr. Myers said, “They kind of felt like sacrificial lambs.”

One of only 17 quotes highlighted, Dr. Myers’ inclusion underscores his thought leadership. He is the author of Becoming a Doctors’ Doctor and a former Vice-Chair of Education and Director of Training in Psychiatry.