Honoring the Life and Legacy of Dr. Gerald W. Deas

By Office of the President | Feb 17, 2026

It is with deep respect and gratitude that we will gather as a Downstate family to honor the life of Gerald W. Deas, M.D., MPH, MS, physician, educator, leader, and a steadfast champion for the health of communities of color. Dr. Deas, whose life was devoted to service, spent decades caring for patients, mentoring students, advocating for preventive health, and strengthening communities. He believed in meeting people in the clinic and in the community, a belief he held and lived in every role.

On Thursday, February 26, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM, we will host A Memorial Tribute to Dr. Deas in PHAB Hall. I will have the honor of hosting this tribute as we reflect on his life and share memories of a man whose presence shaped this institution and countless lives.

This event is open to the community, which feels especially fitting as Dr. Deas’s work never stopped at the boundaries of campus. He believed in public health as a shared responsibility and in academic medicine as a force for prevention, education, and equity.

Immediately following the memorial, we will open a special exhibit in PHAB Hall C that will remain on display from February 26 through March 3, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. The exhibit will feature photographs, articles, and personal mementos that trace the span of his remarkable life. It will open to the public beginning February 27, allowing students, alumni, colleagues, and neighbors to pause, reflect, and remember.

Many of us will forever associate Dr. Deas with his signature “IDEAS” baseball caps—a simple and powerful reminder that progress begins with thought, creativity, and conviction. More than a personal trademark, those caps reflected a man driven by ideas that could improve health, uplift communities, and challenge us to think differently. It is hard to imagine a tribute to Dr. Deas without picturing that cap, worn with pride and purpose, symbolizing both humility and vision.

Dr. Deas modeled what it means to be a physician in the fullest sense of the word. He understood that medicine is not only about diagnosis and treatment. It is about advocacy, mentorship, prevention, and presence. He reminded us that leadership is measured by impact, not by titles.

Honoring Dr. Deas reaffirms the values he lived by: service to the community, commitment to education, and an unwavering belief in the power of public health. His ideas continue to shape our work.

I encourage members of our community to join us in paying tribute to a man whose legacy will continue to guide us and help shape our identity. We are stronger because of him.