Generous Gift to Launch Gernsheimer Lecture Series

By Office of the President | Sep 9, 2025

Congratulations to the Department of Emergency Medicine on the news of a wonderful surprise! A generous gift has been made in honor of  Joel Gernsheimer, M.D., a beloved former Lincoln Hospital resident and distinguished senior faculty member at Downstate.

Dr. Gernheimer's extraordinary contributions to Emergency Medicine and enduring legacy reflect his profound impact as an educator and mentor to generations of students and residents, leaving an indelible mark on the profession and on all who had the privilege of learning from him.

Thanks to the generosity of Parin Shah, M.D., and Mona Shah, M.D., a $100,000 gift was made to establish a lectureship honoring Dr. Gernsheimer’s contributions to medical education and to support a scholarship for medical students pursuing careers in emergency medicine. This meaningful gift launches an enduring effort to continue Dr. Gernsheimer’s extraordinary legacy in training generations of physicians and in advance of the Department of Emergency Medicine’s role in producing leaders in the field. 

Dr. Gernsheimer is a highly regarded figure in emergency medicine education. As former Program Director of the Lincoln Emergency Medicine Residency Program for over two decades, he trained countless residents who have become leaders across New York City. Since joining Downstate in 2007, he has continued to inspire many as senior education faculty, teaching medical students in Clinical Skills, Physical Exam, Emergency Medicine clerkships and electives, and even in programs beyond his department, including Family Medicine and the School of Health Professions.

Most of all, Dr. Gernsheimer is known for his dedication to guiding students through residency selection, mentoring them through training, and modeling a lifetime of service to patients. He has been a mentor to many current leaders in the field of emergency medicine, who are now carrying his legacy of “kindness to every patient” across the country. He continues his roles in teaching, mentoring, and caring for patients at UHD, embodying the best of Downstate’s mission. This new lectureship and scholarship will ensure his impact is felt for generations.

We extend our gratitude to Teresa Smith-Bellille, M.D., MSEd, FACEP, Interim Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, Aquila Lewis, Emergency Department Administrator, and Ingrid Dildy, MPA, Associate Vice President, Development & Philanthropy, for helping to bring this gift to fruition.