A Message from President Riley

By Office of the President | Mar 31, 2026

The People, Purpose, and Work of Leadership

Dear Downstate Community,

In recognition of Women’s History Month, this issue brings together a set of conversations and milestones about leadership, how it is developed, tested, and must continue to evolve.

We welcomed former New York City Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh, whose leadership of the FDNY, as its first woman commissioner, offered a clear example of what it means to lead at scale in moments of consequence. Her reflections reinforced the idea that leadership is operational, grounded in systems, and sustained by discipline, communication, and trust.

That theme carried forward in our Joel S. Levine, M.D. Memorial Lectureship, where Dr. Dave Chokshi, former NYC Health & Mental Hygiene Commissioner and Dr. Mandy Cohen, former Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Director, reflected on leadership in public health during one of the most difficult periods in recent history. Their conversation reminded us that leadership requires expertise, clarity of purpose, the ability to act in the face of uncertainty, and the discipline to remember what we have experienced.

Throughout Downstate, we see these principles reflected in the work of our faculty and staff. Dr. Jeffrey Birnbaum’s selection as a Fulbright Specialist reflects the global reach of our academic mission and the importance of collaboration to advance public health. We recognized Dr. Patricia Winston’s transition to the College of Nursing, where her steady leadership, particularly during the pandemic, will continue through teaching and mentorship.

We also see the impact of our mission on our students’ outcomes. At last week’s Match Day, 187 future physicians secured residency placements, with a strong majority remaining in New York and many continuing to serve in Brooklyn. These results reflect the scale of our training and our commitment to preparing physicians who remain connected to our communities.

Our role in advancing knowledge and discovery remains clear. Downstate was among the participants in the SUNY Research Expo; along with the strength of our Annual Research Day, we continue to contribute to rigorous, directly relevant research linking scientific inquiry, clinical insight, and public impact.

We actively build the future of the health professions by engaging those who will lead it next. Programs that bring students from across New York City into our learning environment reflect a commitment to expanding access, strengthening pathways, and ensuring the workforce reflects the communities we serve.

Together, these efforts reflect a consistent theme: leadership requires individual achievement, supported by functioning systems, accessible pathways, and a shared commitment to purpose. We carry this forward through the people and systems we build—and through a clear understanding of what matters.