Shout Outs
By Office of the President | Mar 3, 2026
College of Nursing Staff Complete CPR & AED Certification Training
Eight staff members and a faculty member from the College of Nursing recently earned CPR and AED certifications, strengthening our campus community with lifesaving skills.
Led by Carline Thomany, MBA, Director for Finance and Administration, this training expands emergency preparedness among non-clinical employees, ensuring that even more members of the CON team stand ready to respond in a medical emergency. While many faculty and students maintain clinical certifications, this training broadens a circle of preparedness. It reinforces a culture of shared responsibility for safety within the Health Sciences Education Building.
Cardio Partners provided on-site instruction using the College’s existing AED equipment, giving participants hands-on training with the exact devices located in our facilities. Practicing with Downstate’s own equipment helped to build familiarity, skill, and confidence.
This achievement highlights the College of Nursing’s commitment to fostering a prepared and responsive environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
Thank you, Carline, for your leadership, and congratulations to our newly certified team members for stepping forward to strengthen safety across our campus.
Downstate Nursing Programs Rank #1 in New York City, #2 in New York State!
AllNurses.com, one of the nation’s largest nursing communities, has ranked our Master
of Science in Nursing programs #2 in New York State and #1 in New York City for 2026.
The ranking reflects a comprehensive review of admission selectivity, graduation rates, cost, accreditation, and community feedback. Downstate stood out for its academic strength, 95 percent graduation rate, CCNE accreditation, and exceptional value for students, particularly New York residents.
In a competitive field that included SUNY and CUNY programs, Downstate emerged as the highest-ranked nursing school in New York City and one of the leading public options statewide.
At a time when demand for advanced practice nurses continues to grow and the scope of practice expands across New York, this recognition underscores the importance of accessible, high-quality graduate nursing education. The review highlighted Downstate’s focus on urban health and service to underserved communities, aligned with our mission in Central Brooklyn.
Special recognition to our faculty, students, and staff for advancing the nursing profession, and to Lori A. Escallier, PhD, RN, CPNP-PC, FAAN, Dean and Professor of the College of Nursing, whose leadership continues to elevate the program’s academic rigor, student success, and professional impact.
Downstate’s position at the top of the 2026 rankings affirms the strength of a public academic medical center that prepares nurses specifically where they are needed most–in Brooklyn and throughout New York State–delivering rigorous training that remains accessible to the communities we serve.
Sthecy Montilus Highlights Climate Risks to Maternal and Child Health
Along with the School of Public Health, we proudly recognize Sthecy Montilus, Assistant Program Coordinator for Adult & Vascular Neurology, public health student,
and parent, for her impactful BK Reader op-ed, “Climate Change is Putting Mothers and Children at Risk.”
In her piece, Sthecy connects rising heat, worsening air quality, and environmental exposures to increased risks of preterm birth, low birth weight, and potential long-term developmental challenges. She highlights how these risks fall disproportionately on Black, Hispanic, and low-income families, most often due to housing conditions and proximity to highways and industrial areas.
She also calls for practical solutions, including improved indoor air quality, expanded access to cooling during heat emergencies, increased green space, and stronger integration of maternal health into climate resilience planning.
Sthecy’s message aligns closely with Downstate’s commitment to improving maternal and child health in Central Brooklyn. It underscores the essential link between public health, environment, and equity.
Congratulations, Sthecy, for raising awareness on an issue that directly impacts the families we serve and for modeling thoughtful, community-centered public health leadership.
When Running Becomes Self-Care
Congratulations to Rose Jackman, MPH, Senior Administrator for Physiology and Pharmacology, for her exceptional and inspiring
story reflecting resilience, discipline, and a deep commitment to wellness.
Rose began running later in life as a personal challenge, and it soon became a steady part of her routine. Along the way, her commitment to staying active led her to notice symptoms that prompted further evaluation. That decision revealed a serious heart condition that might have gone undetected. By paying attention to her body and seeking care, she received timely treatment that ultimately saved her life.
Over her years at Downstate, Rose has done far more than focus on her own wellness. She has organized and championed events that promote physical activity and healthy living across our community. Her leadership has inspired colleagues, students, and community members to take their health seriously.
Rose was recently mentioned in Women’s Health magazine in an article exploring running and joint health, another recognition of her advocacy and example. Thank you, Rose, for showing us that it is never too late to begin, to grow stronger, and to lead by example.
Dr. Brigitte Desport Reappointed to Early Childhood Health State Council
Congratulations to Brigitte Desport, DPS, OTR/L, BCP, ATP, Associate Dean of Strategic Initiatives in the School of Health Professions, on
her reappointment by Governor Kathy Hochul as a Member of the New York State Early
Intervention Coordinating Council, with a term extending through December 31, 2028.
Dr. Desport is a well-regarded faculty member and practitioner whose work reflects solid expertise in early childhood development and public health policy. Her continued service on this statewide council recognizes both her professional leadership and her unwavering commitment to improving outcomes for children and families across New York.
The Early Intervention Coordinating Council plays a critical role in advising the state on services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities. Dr. Desport’s seat at that table ensures that the perspectives of families, providers, and academic institutions like Downstate remain central to policy discussions.
Thank you, Dr. Desport, for the leadership and expertise you bring to this essential work on behalf of our state and our community.