A Message from President Riley
By Office of the President | Oct 7, 2025
Pride, Purpose, and Promise
Dear Downstate Community,
At Downstate, collaboration is more than a value. It is the force that turns vision into progress. This edition of the Bulletin shares examples of how connection across generations, disciplines, and communities is shaping the future of health.
We remember with gratitude the late Dr. John C. LaRosa, Downstate’s 15th President (1999-2012), whose leadership was defined by innovation, his ability to connect people, inspire trust, and unify diverse voices.
That same spirit of connection runs through every story in these pages. It is visible in our BK-SWAG program, where scholar-athletes discover new futures in science and medicine. It is evident in groundbreaking research on maternal health and breastfeeding, where partnerships with local and global collaborators alike are improving outcomes for mothers and children. It is apparent in the joy and dignity of the Autism Resource and Awareness Fair, in the international partnerships that advance mental health through AI, and in the pioneering research of Dr. Edward Quadros, whose decades of persistence are now reaching headlines worldwide. Equally important, it is evident in the way our faculty governs and guides this institution, working side by side to ensure Downstate’s legacy.
While reflecting on these accomplishments, I remain proud of the talent and dedication of our Downstate community, and I hold hope for the breakthroughs yet to come. The research taking place here is not only advancing science, it is transforming care, shaping policy, and delivering solutions that will continue to have a lasting impact across Brooklyn, New York, and the world.
These are examples of what collaboration looks like at an academic medical center: honoring the past, investing in the next generation, advancing science, and working closely with our communities. Together, we ensure that the knowledge created here at Downstate is groundbreaking, life-changing, close to home, and far beyond Brooklyn.