A Message from President Riley

By Office of the President | Sep 9, 2025

Renewal, Commitment, and Progress at Downstate

Dear Downstate Community,

Welcome back to a new academic year filled with promise, growth, and transformation. A new era is shaping at Downstate Health Sciences University, redefining how we serve our patients, train future health leaders, and partner with our community.

Thanks to Governor Kathy Hochul’s historic $1.1 billion investment and the steadfast advocacy of Senator Zellnor Myrie, our State delegation, clergy, community leaders, and union partners, we are moving forward with urgency and purpose. This commitment will allow us to build modern, patient-centered facilities, upgrade our infrastructure, and expand access to care that reflects the needs and values of Central Brooklyn.

Equally important is strengthening partnerships and collaborations with healthcare providers, academic institutions, government leaders, and community organizations. Together, we will expand access, foster workforce development, and sustain the essential work ahead of us, ensuring that the transformation of Downstate is community-driven and lasting.

While we prepare for these new changes, we continue to celebrate the accomplishments that highlight our strength today. The Downstate Institutional Review Board (IRB) earned the prestigious CARE-Q Certification, making us the first institution outside California to achieve this standard of excellence. This recognition affirms our commitment to research integrity and regulatory compliance while setting a benchmark for other institutions nationwide. 

We are excited to welcome new faculty whose expertise will advance Downstate’s mission in research, education, and community health. Joining us are Drs. Carole Morel, Dylan Rich, and Yu-San Huoh (Graduate Studies); Dr. Joanne Constantin (Public Health), Dr. Filippa Juul (Health Policy Management), and Dr. Seth Prins (Community Health Sciences). Their work spans neuroscience, cell biology, health policy, maternal and child health, substance misuse, criminalization, and mental health. It strengthens Downstate’s collaborations across disciplines and institutions, expands our role as partners in advancing health equity, and helps sustain the critical work ahead.

This September also marks Sickle Cell Awareness Month, a vital time to recommit to improving care and outcomes for patients disproportionately affected by this disease, especially here in Central Brooklyn. In addition, we are proud to support the 2025 Brooklyn Walk to End Alzheimer’s, locally sponsored by MJHS, which will take place on Sunday, October 26, 2025. I encourage members of the Downstate community to participate and demonstrate our shared commitment to advancing care, equity, and research for those we serve.

We are entering a season of renewal that will define the future of Downstate. With your dedication, expertise, and compassion, I am confident we will continue building on our legacy while creating a more equitable, patient-centered future for all.