Shout Outs
By Office of the President | Oct 7, 2025
Three Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health Leaders Named to the Brooklyn Power List
From Left to Right: Faven Araya, DrPH(c), MPH, Mary Eustace Valmont, Ph.D., and Marilyn A. Fraser, M.D.
Congratulations to Marilyn A. Fraser, M.D., Chief Executive Officer, Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health; Faven Araya, DrPH(c), MPH, Director of Community Engagement and Health Equity Research; and Mary Eustace Valmont, Ph.D., Associate Executive Director for Health Science Education, on being named to the Brooklyn Power List, presented by Schneps Media.
The Brooklyn Power List celebrates the most influential individuals making a significant impact across the borough. Honorees are recognized for their leadership, commitment, and contributions to the community.
This recognition highlights the Institute’s ongoing mission to advance health equity and community empowerment throughout Brooklyn and beyond.
Complete list of all the honorees
Spotlight on Faculty Leadership: Dr. Chella Kamarajan
Kudos to Chella Kamarajan, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, whose article, Shared Vision for Revitalizing SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, appears in the SUNY University Faculty Senate UFS) 2025 Annual Report. In it, Dr. Kamarajan traces Downstate’s roots and focuses on last year’s campus
advocacy to retain inpatient care as a core part of our clinical mission.
In addition to representing Downstate on the University Faculty Senate, Dr. Kamarajan serves on the Centerwide and College of Medicine Executive Committees, chairs the Department of Psychiatry’s Research Committee, and is a member of the Henri Begleiter Neurodynamics Laboratory.
His scholarship and service demonstrate a deep commitment to Downstate and to shared faculty governance.
PANCE Pass-Rate Perfection for SOHP PA Students
We’re thrilled to celebrate our School of Health Professions (SOHP) Physician Assistant
students, who achieved a 100 percent first-attempt pass rate on the national certifying examination (PANCE) this cycle.
The Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), is the national licensing exam required for graduates of accredited programs to become certified Physician Assistants (PA-C).
This remarkable milestone reflects the students’ dedication and preparation—and the outstanding teaching, mentoring, and academic guidance provided by our SOHP faculty and staff. Their success is a testament to the strength of our program and the collaborative spirit that defines the SOHP community.
Together, we continue to advance excellence in education, practice, and patient care.
Abena Amory Celebrates Caribbean Culture and Public Health Impact
A proud 2018 graduate of Downstate’s School of Public Health, Abena Amory embodies the spirit of leadership, advocacy, and healing that defines her alma mater.
This past June, she took center stage during the closing night of the St. Kitts Music Festival in Basseterre, St. Kitts—captivating audiences with a performance that celebrated both heritage and heart. A native of Nevis and the daughter of the late Hon. Vance Amory, former Premier of Nevis, Abena carries forward a legacy of service and pride. Her music blends Nevisian and Vincentian rhythms with the unmistakable pulse of Brooklyn, creating a sound that bridges islands and generations.
Offstage, Ms. Amory continues her mission of care as a certified birth doula, advocating for maternal health, violence prevention, and health equity. Her work with Brooklyn Community Services and the Caribbean Women’s Health Association reflects the same commitment to community well-being that fuels a harmony of culture and compassion.