Shout Outs
By Office of the President | Mar 31, 2026
Building Downstate for 41 Years: Mike Levinton Retires
Please join us in recognizing Mike Levinton, Director of Capital Projects, in Facilities Management and Development (FM&D), on
his retirement after more than 41 years of service to Downstate.
Mike began his career in 1984 as an electrical engineer in FM&D and went on to lead major capital projects across the campus, including the Health Sciences Education Building, the School of Public Health Academic Building, the Neonatal ICU Expansion, and the Cafeteria expansion.
He later advanced to Assistant Vice President for Design and Construction and most recently served as Director of Capital Projects. His work has shaped the spaces where care, education, and research take place every day.
Mike didn’t just work at Downstate; he helped build it. He expressed deep appreciation for his colleagues and takes pride in having worked alongside dedicated professionals.
A senior member of several professional organizations, Mike was also named a Lifetime Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in recognition of his contributions to technology and long-standing professional engagement.
He looks forward to spending more time with family and remaining active in public life.
We thank him for the consistency and judgment he brought to this work and wish him well in the years ahead.
The Promise to Purpose for Future Healthcare Leaders
We are proud to recognize Krystal Brewington, OTD, OTR/L, CPAM, CHT, Assistant Professor in the School of Health Professions, who represented Downstate
as a guest speaker on the Health Professions panel at the Jackie Robinson Foundation’s
Mentoring and Leadership Conference.
The conference brought together more than 200 undergraduate scholars from across the country for a multi-day leadership development experience, “Building on the Past, Designing Our Future.” The program reflected the Foundation’s mission to support high-achieving students through mentorship, leadership development, and career exposure.
Alongside her peers in medicine, nursing, and public health, Dr. Brewington represented occupational therapy and shared insights on the evolving healthcare landscape, including interdisciplinary practice, health equity, and the growing role of technology. She also engaged directly with participants, offering guidance on navigating health professions and building purposeful careers, reinforcing the Foundation’s focus on mentorship, access, and leadership.
Dr. Brewington’s participation reflects a clear alignment between Downstate’s mission of advancing health equity through education, community engagement, and workforce development and that of the Jackie Robinson Foundation, which seeks to expand access and support high-achieving students through scholarships, mentorship, and leadership development, ensuring they have the guidance and resources to succeed.
The panel was moderated by Dr. Torian Easterling, former First Deputy Commissioner and Chief Equity Officer at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Thank you, Dr. Brewington, for your confidence in our up-and-coming leaders!
UUP Partnership Supports Women’s History Month Gathering
Thank you to United University Professions (UUP) and Brooklyn UUP for supporting the refreshments for our Women’s History Month gathering. Their investment helped make this event possible.
We appreciate UUP’s partnership and the role they play in supporting and strengthening our workforce. Collaboration with our labor partners strengthens Downstate.
Special thanks to Redetha Abraham-Nichols, DNP, MRA, RN, President of the UUP Downstate Chapter and Emergency Department nurse leader, for her leadership and advocacy. We also thank Alithia Alleyne, Program Administrator in the School of Health Professions, for convening colleagues for a more intimate conversation with the Commissioner.
We were honored to welcome former New York City Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh, who led more than 17,000 unionized members of the FDNY and spoke to the importance of strong labor partnerships.
Dr. Jenny Libien Elected President-Elect of AAPath
Congratulations to Jenny Libien, M.D., Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Pathology, on her election as President-Elect of the
Association for Academic Pathology.
As a respected leader in academic medicine and pathology education, Dr. Libien will help guide national priorities across medical education, residency training, and academic pathology. Her leadership will shape the training of future pathologists and the field’s continued evolution.
Dr. Libien’s appointment strengthens Downstate’s voice in national conversations, reflects the caliber of our faculty leadership, and reinforces our role in advancing academic medicine and training the physician-scientists and educators the field depends on.
Celebrating National Doctors Day with a New Physicians Lounge at The Commons
We marked National Doctors Day by cutting the ribbon to our new Physicians Lounge at The Commons, an important investment in the well-being of our clinical teams.
As shared during the program, being a physician is “one of the highest callings in life” and “a way to be part of something bigger than oneself.” Each day, our physicians care for patients, support our students, and serve our community with deep commitment and compassion.
Our new UHD CEO, Dr. Kanna, reflected on his recent experience as a patient at Downstate and expressed his gratitude to the physicians who provided immediate, life-saving care. He emphasized the importance of recognizing not only what physicians do, but what they give in saving and changing lives, and shaping the course of our community’s health.
The new lounge represents a direct investment in that work. Designed as part of the cafeteria expansion and centrally located between clinical and campus spaces, it provides a dedicated place to eat, connect with colleagues, and step away briefly during a demanding day. As noted during the program, supporting physicians in taking care of themselves is essential because when they do, they are better able to care for others.
With breakfast, lunch, refreshments, and snacks available daily, the Physicians Lounge creates a space for rest, rejuvenation, and connection. It also reflects a broader commitment to creating environments that support our clinical teams.
We extend our gratitude to Facilities Management & Development (FM&D), IT, Hospital Facilities, Environmental Services, and Team Sodexo for bringing this space to life.
UPD Welcomes New Officer Andre Hampton
We are proud to welcome UPD’s newest officer, Andre Hampton, following his graduation
from the Rockland County Police Academy.
Officer Hampton completed one of the region’s most rigorous training programs, demonstrating the physical discipline, mental focus, and integrity required to serve. During his time at the academy, he stood out as a leader among his peers.
He was also awarded the School Coordinator’s Award, one of the academy’s highest honors, selected by instructors in recognition of leadership, collaboration, and overall performance.
We are proud to have Officer Hampton join SUNY Downstate. His training and leadership reflect a strong foundation for the work ahead and a clear commitment to the safety and well-being of our community.
Bringing Health Education to the Community
Downstate Health Sciences University continues to make a meaningful impact through the work of Betty Jung, RN, and her MPH interns, Claudia Francois and Mst. Nargish Begum. This spring, they represented Downstate at health and wellness events at Medgar Evers College and Assemblywoman Monique Chandler-Waterman’s Youth-Led Conference, delivering practical, accessible health education directly to the communities we serve.
From nutrition and weight management to stroke and diabetes prevention, their outreach provided actionable steps that support healthier lives while giving trainees hands-on experience engaging the public. This work reflects Downstate’s strong community presence and commitment to improving health outcomes through direct engagement.
That work is reinforced through collaboration with Alishia Goodridge, MBA, Assistant Vice President for Government and Community Relations, and Sarah Marshall, DNP, RN, of the Center for Community Health Promotion and Wellness, who sustain partnerships connecting Downstate with elected officials, community organizations, schools, and faith-based institutions. Together, these efforts strengthen relationships, build trust, and advance health equity across the communities we serve.
University Council's Annual Multicultural Fair
The University Council and the Student Center Governing Board co-sponsored this year’s Multicultural Fair on March 24. The event brought together more than 250 members of the Downstate community in a vibrant celebration of cultural diversity, featuring 14 cultural groups whose thoughtfully curated tables showcased food, traditions, and personal elements reflective of their unique backgrounds and lived experiences.
The care and intentionality behind each presentation created a welcoming atmosphere, where visitors felt as though they were being invited into a new home at every table. The level of engagement throughout the event was especially noteworthy, as students took time to connect, ask questions, and learn from one another—celebrating both shared experiences and distinct cultural identities.
This year’s Multicultural Fair served as a meaningful reflection of the diversity, unity, and community spirit that define Downstate. A special thank you to Adam Burgman, Director, Student Activities and Student Center, Schuyler Hooke, Director, Department of Student Life, and Jeffrey Putman, Ed.D., Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs.
Multicultural Food Festival @ SUNY Downstate
