Shout Outs
By Office of the President | May 19, 2026
Jeffrey Putman Recognized by Students as Advisor of the Year
Jeffrey Putman, Ed.D., Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, was named Advisor of the Year at Downstate’s recent Student Leadership Recognition Ceremony. The honor was especially meaningful because it came directly from students.
As advisor to the SUNY Downstate Medical Council, Dr. Putman is known for his steady presence, thoughtful guidance, and accessibility to students as they balance the demands of academic life.
Colleagues and students alike describe Dr. Putman as someone who listens carefully, follows through, and remains consistently engaged.
The recognition reflects the trust built through day-to-day interactions and highlights the important role faculty and staff play in supporting students, often in ways that are quiet but deeply felt.
Donor Memorial Ceremony Led by Students
The College of Medicine Class of 2029 recently held a donor memorial honoring individuals who chose to donate their bodies to medical education. Their generosity allows students to study anatomy in one of the most direct and foundational parts of medical training.
The ceremony marked an early and important moment in medical education, reminding students that anatomy study begins with an extraordinary act of generosity and trust.
Faculty in anatomy and the staff of the anatomy laboratory were also recognized for their role in guiding students through this experience with care and professionalism.
Downstate Leaders Re-Elected to UUP Executive Board as Advocacy Efforts Continue to Strengthen Central Brooklyn Healthcare
Redetha Abrahams-Nichols, DNP, MPA, RN & Samuel Márquez, Ph.D.
Congratulations to Redetha Abrahams-Nichols, DNP, MPA, RN, President of the UUP Downstate Chapter and Emergency Department nurse leader, and Samuel Márquez, Ph.D., Professor of Cell Biology and Otolaryngology and Co-Director of Anatomy on their re-election to the United University Professions Statewide Executive Board during the 2026 Spring Delegate Assembly in Albany. Their continued leadership reflects a deep commitment to advocacy, healthcare equity, public higher education, and the Downstate community.
The recognition also comes at an important moment for SUNY Downstate, following the successful statewide and community-led effort to preserve and strengthen the institution’s role as a critical academic medical center and safety-net hospital serving Central Brooklyn. As highlighted in recent national labor coverage, Downstate’s coalition of union leaders, healthcare professionals, students, and community advocates helped secure a historic $1.1 billion commitment to modernize and expand the hospital’s facilities and services.
We also extend congratulations to UUP President Frederick E. Kowal on his unanimous re-election to a fourth term leading the nation’s largest higher education union. UUP continues to play an important role in advancing the interests of SUNY faculty, staff, students, patients, and communities across New York State.
Statewide Officers Elected At 2026 Spring Delegate Assembly In Albany
Downstate and Kingsborough Connections Highlighted at Presidential Investiture Ceremony
Vanessa Vales-Lewis, Ph.D., MAT
Suri Duitch, MSW, Ph.D.
Kwesi Blackman, M.D.
Mary Dawson, Ph.D.
Vanessa Vales-Lewis, Ph.D., MAT, Assistant Dean in the School of Health Professions, a Kingsborough Community College alumna, and Trustee of the Kingsborough Community College Foundation, recently attended the ceremony formally installing Suri Duitch, Ph.D., as Kingsborough Community College’s eighth president.
The celebration reflected Kingsborough’s continued commitment to educational access, student success, and community partnership across Brooklyn.
The occasion also emphasized the strong ties between Kingsborough and the Downstate community. Dr. Vales-Lewis attended alongside Kwesi Blackman, M.D., Chair of the KCC Foundation Board, Downstate/Kings County alumnus, and Internal Medicine Attending Physician at NewYork-Presbyterian; and Mary Dawson, Ph.D., KCC Foundation Trustee and alumna of Downstate’s School of Graduate Studies.
Downstate and Kingsborough maintain a longstanding partnership, including a memorandum of understanding supporting nursing education and healthcare workforce pathways for Brooklyn students.
For the Downstate-connected trustees, alumni, and leaders in attendance, the ceremony reflected the enduring educational, healthcare, and community connections that continue to strengthen both institutions and the borough they serve.
Downstate Honors Mentorship at Daniel Hale Williams Society Ceremony
Samuel Márquez, Ph.D., & Anika Daniels-Osaze, Ed.D., MPH
Last week, members of the Downstate community gathered at Patrick’s Steakhouse for the Daniel Hale Williams Society Mentorship Recognition Award Ceremony hosted by the Latino-Black Student National Medical Association (LBSNMA).
The evening celebrated the importance of mentorship, leadership, and community within medical education, while recognizing individuals who have made a meaningful impact on students throughout their Downstate journey.
Among those honored were graduating medical student Ivana Baldie and Samuel Márquez, Ph.D., Professor of Cell Biology and Otolaryngology and Co-Director of Anatomy, who received Mentorship Recognition Awards for their dedication to supporting and guiding students.
The ceremony also highlighted the leadership of Anika Daniels-Osaze, Ed.D., MPH, Associate Dean for Education in the School of Public Health and Clinical Associate Professor of Health Policy and Management, and the continued impact of the Daniel Hale Williams Society in fostering mentorship, professional development, academic support, and community for students pursuing careers in medicine and healthcare.
Named for pioneering African American surgeon Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, who performed one of the first successful open-heart surgeries, the society continues to create spaces for mentorship, connection, and support for future physicians and healthcare leaders.
Special thanks to the leadership of the Latino-Black Student National Medical Association and the Daniel Hale Williams Society for organizing a meaningful evening that reflected the compassion, excellence, and sense of community that continue to define Downstate.
Bringing Early Detection Into the Community
April marked Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month with a community screening event hosted by Downstate’s Department of Otolaryngology, highlighting the importance of early detection and access to specialty care in Central Brooklyn.
Held on April 16, the 2026 Head and Neck Cancer Screening Event brought together faculty, residents, medical students, and community partners focused on education, prevention, and timely follow-up care. The effort was supported by the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance and Vacation Sunscreen.
Under the leadership of faculty members Dr. Mahmoud Awad and Dr. Krishnamurthi Sundaram, with assistance from student volunteers, 35 individuals received free screenings. Nine participants were referred for additional evaluation, underscoring the important role community-based screening can play in identifying potential concerns before symptoms become more advanced.
Head and neck cancers are often highly treatable when detected early, yet many patients delay evaluation because symptoms can appear subtle or easily overlooked. Events like this help connect Brooklyn residents with specialty expertise while also increasing awareness about risk factors, prevention, and the importance of follow-up care.
The screening also reflected a broader part of Downstate’s mission as Brooklyn’s health sciences university: bringing prevention, education, and specialty care directly into the community it serves.
Many thanks to all who volunteered or contributed to the event, including LeeAnn Marcello, who assisted with community outreach and photography.
PT Chair Yasser Salem Earns Top Physical Therapy Honor
Yasser Salem, PT, Ph.D., MS, NCS, PCS, Professor and Chair of the School of Health Professions’ Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, has been named a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the American Physical Therapy Association (FAPTA), the organization’s highest honor.
The designation recognizes sustained contributions that shape the profession. A specialist in neurologic and pediatric physical therapy, Dr. Salem has advanced evidence-based care while helping raise standards across the field.
As an educator, he prepares students and trainees to think critically and translate knowledge into patient care. His research and national and international presentations have helped move evidence into everyday practice.
He remains active in professional service and advocacy, supporting the continued growth of the field.
Election as a Catherine Worthingham Fellow places Dr. Salem among a select group whose work continues to influence physical therapy practice and education.
Dr. Salem was appointed program chair in July, 25
Confronting the Silence Around Physician Mental Health
Michael F. Myers, M.D., Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University and
former Vice Chair of Education and Director of Training in the Department of Psychiatry
and Behavioral Sciences, continues to help shape national conversations around physician
mental health, stigma, and professional identity.
In a recent commentary published on KevinMD, Dr. Myers examined the silence and isolation many physicians experience after revealing their own mental health struggles. Drawing from stories featured in his recent book, Physicians With Lived Experience, he argues that medicine too often stigmatizes physicians during moments of illness rather than supporting them through recovery.
For decades, Dr. Myers has been one of medicine’s leading voices on physician wellness, suicide prevention, and the emotional demands of medical training and practice. At Downstate, he helped develop educational and support programs addressing physician burnout, professional stress, and mental health long before these issues became part of broader national discussions. His work continues to influence how medical schools, hospitals, and professional organizations approach physician well-being and the culture surrounding mental illness in medicine.
Dilip Nath Participates in Statewide AAPI Symposium
Dilip Nath, DrBA, MBA, CHCIO, CDH-E, Vice President and Chief Information Officer at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, recently represented Downstate at the 3rd Annual New York State AAPI Summit in Albany, joining SUNY leaders for a panel discussion focused on “AI for the Public Good.”
The summit brought together policymakers, educators, healthcare leaders, and advocates from across New York State to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping education, workforce development, healthcare, and public policy. Dr. Nath’s participation highlighted the growing role academic medical centers can play in advancing responsible, community-focused uses of AI.
Dr. Nath also completed the 2025 SUNY Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Leadership Institute last fall. His capstone project, Transforming the Downstate Workforce, outlined a practical strategy to expand professional development opportunities through the SUNY's existing Skillsoft platform.