A Message from President Riley
By Office of the President | Feb 17, 2026
A Legacy of Service, A Future of Impact
Dear Downstate Community,
During Black History Month, we reflect on a legacy of service that continues to shape our future impact. Few individuals embody that legacy more fully than Dr. Gerald W. Deas.
In the coming days, we will gather as a Downstate community for a memorial tribute in PHAB Hall to honor Dr. Deas’s life and service. Immediately following the tribute, we will introduce a special exhibit featuring photographs, articles, and personal mementos that trace the arc of his remarkable career and lasting influence. I encourage you to attend, reflect, and celebrate a life that helped shape this institution and the borough we serve.
We honor his legacy in remembrance and in the work we continue to advance.
That work spans discovery, care delivery, workforce development, and safety. As an example, a scientific breakthrough that began in a Downstate laboratory now supports brain research at nearly 1,500 institutions spanning 63 countries. Dr. Randall Barbour’s pioneering work in functional near-infrared spectroscopy transformed how researchers study the living brain, moving innovation from federally supported research to global adoption. This milestone reflects the strength of our research enterprise and demonstrates how discovery at Downstate shapes science worldwide.
At the same time, we continue to strengthen care here at home. I am pleased to welcome Dr. Balavenkatesh Kanna as Chief Executive Officer of University Hospital and Vice President of Hospital Affairs, effective March 6. He has extensive experience in academic medicine and safety-net leadership. He will guide the continued modernization of our hospital while reinforcing a culture of safety, accountability, and community engagement. I also extend sincere gratitude to Dr. Patricia A. Winston for her steady leadership during this period of transition.
We are expanding workforce opportunities as well. With nearly $170K in support from SUNY’s High Needs Nursing Fund, Downstate and Old Westbury will broaden nursing pathways that move students efficiently from undergraduate study into accelerated clinical training and, for some, into preparation as nurse educators. Strengthening this pipeline addresses urgent workforce needs while investing in the future of healthcare education.
Across our campus, programs like STAR continue to anchor care, prevention, education, and research in community partnerships. University Hospital’s designation as an Active Violence Immediate Response Training center reinforces our commitment to preparedness and safety for all who enter our doors. Our graduates also carry Downstate’s training into diverse arenas, demonstrating that the foundation built here supports leadership in traditional and evolving roles.
We recognize these and other Black History examples of how our work defines our mission. Dr. Deas’s example lives on in this collective work. His belief in service, education, and public health as instruments of justice continues to guide us. We honor his legacy by advancing discovery, strengthening healthcare, expanding access to opportunity, and serving Brooklyn with purpose and resolve.