A Message from President Riley

By Office of the President | Apr 22, 2025

Redefining Healthcare In Brooklyn

Dear Downstate Community,

At Downstate, redefining healthcare in Brooklyn is more than medicine—it’s about imagination, partnership, and the courage to explore extensive possibilities.

This month, we highlight a remarkable scientific breakthrough that speaks directly to that mission. A new study, co-led by our own Sergios-Orestis Kolokotronis, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases, and Elizbeth Hénaff, Ph.D., NYU Tandon School of Engineering, reveals that microbial life in the sediment of Brooklyn’s Gowanus Canal—a former symbol of urban pollution—holds surprising potential for environmental recovery and public health advancement.

We’re also proud to celebrate an innovative partnership between Downstate and UAlbany to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) in improving mental health outcomes. As part of a SUNY-wide AI initiative, this collaboration uses machine learning and predictive analytics to enhance early diagnosis, strengthen patient engagement, and improve navigation of mental health systems. By advancing care delivery and public health decision-making, particularly in underserved communities, we aim to expand access and reduce disparities.

This partnership is a fitting highlight during Mental Health Awareness Month as we recommit to the essential truth that mental wellness is public health—and innovation can help bring support closer to those who need it most.

In the coming weeks, we will unveil the next phase of our #KeepCareClose campaign, featuring a new series of posters and lamp post banners that spotlight some Downstate healthcare staff who embody our mission daily. This visual campaign continues to champion community health access, pride of place, and the trusted relationships our teams build with patients across Central Brooklyn.

We will also take time to honor the many members of our community during National Nurses Week, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, and other celebrations that recognize the extraordinary people who power Downstate’s impact—every day and in every setting.

Let’s keep discovering and redefining what healthcare in Brooklyn can be—together.