A Message from President Riley

By Office of the President | Nov 3, 2026

The Work We Carry Forward

Dear Downstate Community,

The strength of an academic health sciences university is measured not only by the knowledge it generates, but by how that knowledge improves lives, expands opportunities, and strengthens the communities it serves. Across Downstate, our students, faculty, staff, and researchers demonstrate that commitment through work that connects education, discovery, patient care, and community engagement.

This issue of the President’s Bulletin reflects that breadth of purpose.

The expansion of our Applied Behavior Analysis program, including a new advanced certificate, demonstrates how Downstate is responding to growing workforce needs while creating pathways for professionals preparing to serve individuals and families.

Our research continues to address complex questions with implications for patient care. From genetic discoveries involving dry eye disease and chronic pain to studies of prostate cancer treatment outcomes and the neuroscience of visual perception, Downstate investigators are contributing knowledge that can inform future clinical practice. Their work underscores the value of scientific inquiry and the importance of translating discovery into meaningful advances in health.

As Veterans Day approaches, we also recognize Downstate’s longstanding tradition of service. Our institutional roots reach back to Civil War physicians who helped advance military medicine and cared for wounded soldiers. That legacy continues through our relationship with the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System and the veterans among our faculty, staff, and students. We honor their service and the contributions they continue to make.

The achievements highlighted throughout this issue remind us that institutional progress is built through individual dedication and collective effort. Whether advancing research, preparing future health professionals, supporting families, or strengthening the work that happens behind the scenes, each contribution matters.

Thank you for the expertise, compassion, and commitment you bring to Downstate and to the communities that depend on us.