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The President's Bulletin

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The President’s Bulletin is a bi-weekly publication created to keep students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, friends, and others informed about the latest news at Downstate Health Sciences University. We hope you enjoy reading the articles and find them informative and useful.

Hugs Logo

UHD Debuts Hugs Security System for Infants

by Office of the President - September 9 , 2025

There is nothing more important than the safety of our youngest patients. Downstate is proud to announce the successful launch of its new Hugs Infant & Pediatric Security System across the Women’s and Children’s Nursing Units, reflecting our...

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CARE-Q Logo

Downstate Earns Prestigious CARE-Q Certification

by Office of the President - September 9 , 2025

In a trailblazing achievement, the Downstate Institutional Review Board (IRB) earned CARE-Q certification, becoming the first institution outside California to achieve this distinction since CARE-Q opened the process outside the University of California...

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Joel Gernsheimer, MD

Generous Gift to Launch Gernsheimer Lecture Series

by Office of the President - September 9 , 2025

Congratulations to the Department of Emergency Medicine on the news of a wonderful surprise! A former Lincoln Hospital resident, Joel Gernsheimer, M.D., our beloved senior education faculty member, made a generous donation in his honor. This acknowledgement...

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CGAIMH Logo

CGAIMH Summit Elevates Innovation in AI Mental Healthcare

by Office of the President - September 9 , 2025

The Global Center for AI in Mental Health (GCAIMH), founded by Downstate Health Sciences University, UAlbany, and the Health Innovation Exchange (HiEX), will host its 2025 Annual Summit on Friday, September 19, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the...

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Physician Assistant White Coat

PA White Coat Ceremony Wrap-up

by Office of the President - September 9 , 2025

On Wednesday, August 27, 2025, Alumni Auditorium at Downstate Health Sciences University was filled with applause, cheers, and pride as the Physician Assistant Class of 2025 stepped onto the stage to receive their white coats. The 17th Annual White...

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Tags: White Coat Ceremony

CVD Summer Institute

CVD Summer Institute Showcases Downstate Faculty

by Office of the President - September 9 , 2025

Downstate proudly hosted the NIH-funded CVD Summer Institute, welcoming early-career researchers dedicated to advancing equity in cardiovascular health. From a national pool of candidates, just ten were selected; two were our own: Dr. Filippa Juul...

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Shout Outs

Shout Outs

by Office of the President - September 9 , 2025

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In Case You Missed it

In Case You Missed It

by Office of the President - September 9 , 2025

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Dr Riley

A Message from President Riley

by Office of the President - June 3 , 2025

As we approach the summer months, I offer my deepest gratitude to each of you—our students, faculty, researchers, staff, and alums—for another year defined by determination, resilience, and a shared commitment to the health and future of our...

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Brian McNeil

From Downstate to D.C.: Dr. Brian McNeil Named RWJF/NAM Health Policy Fellow

by Office of the President - June 3 , 2025

With great pride, we announce a prestigious national honor for Downstate’s Brian McNeil, M.D., MBA, FACS, Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs and Vice Chair of Urology. Dr. McNeil has been selected as one of only eight health professionals across...

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Tags: Health Policy and Management

Salifu Group Photo

Redefining AAPI Leadership in Medicine, Academia, and Health Equity

by Office of the President - June 3 , 2025

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities contribute are vital to the U.S. healthcare system—not only as clinicians, researchers, educators, and public health leaders, but also as caregivers, advocates, innovators, community organizers,...

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Tags: Health Equity

Global Stage

From Central Brooklyn to the Global Stage: Equity in Neuroscience

by Office of the President - June 3 , 2025

Earlier this spring, Downstate convened global researchers, clinicians, and policy leaders for the Global Neuroscience Initiative Meeting under the theme, ‘Health Equity in the Precision Medicine Era of Global Neuroscience.’ This gathering reinforced...

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Tags: Health Equity, School of Public Health

Venus Williams and Dr. Viswanathan

Psychiatry Meets the Global Stage

by Office of the President - June 3 , 2025

The 2025 American Psychiatric Association (APA) Annual Meeting opened with two extraordinary conversations that set the tone for a transformative gathering.

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Tags: Psychiatry

Nicole Gladstein

Scalpel Meets Smartphone

by Office of the President - June 3 , 2025

We proudly announce that Nicole Gladstein, a third-year medical student at Downstate, has received the prestigious 2025 Carolyn L. Kuckein Student Research Fellowship from the Alpha Omega Alpha (AΩA) Honor Medical Society. This national award honors...

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Thomas Wallach group photo

Fighting for Life in a System Built for Caution

by Office of the President - June 3 , 2025

A recent deep personal conversation at Downstate was sparked by loss, driven by science, and rooted in the urgent need to rethink how we regulate hope. The discussion centered on For Love and Life: No Ordinary Campaign. This documentary follows Brian...

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Tags: Research

COM SGS Ceremony

Celebrating History, Honor, and a Missing Hammer!

by Office of the President - June 3 , 2025

Over 100 students and faculty gathered the night before Commencement for the College of Medicine and School of Graduate Studies Awards Ceremony. Livestreamed for family, friends, and supporters, the event honored academic excellence, mentorship,...

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Tags: Awards, College of Medicine, School of Graduate Studies

Shout Outs

Shout Outs

by Office of the President - June 3 , 2025

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In Case You Missed it

In Case You Missed It

by Office of the President - June 3 , 2025

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Dr Riley

A Message from President Riley

by Office of the President - May 22 , 2025

This past Tuesday, I was honored to celebrate the 2025 Commencement Exercises of SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University (Downstate), joining with other leaders and more than 600 graduates from the College of Medicine, College of Nursing, School...

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group photo

One Downstate; One Mission

by Office of the President - May 22 , 2025

The Coney Island Amphitheater was filled with joy, reflection, and deep pride as we celebrated over 600 graduates from our five schools and colleges. Two inspiring ceremonies—held at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.—did more than close one academic chapter....

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Photo of PA student

PA Graduate Receives SUNY Mental Health Scholarship

by Office of the President - May 22 , 2025

Congratulations to Girgis Welsen, a 2025 graduate of the School of Health Professions Physician Assistant (PA) Program, and one of only 15 students statewide to receive the SUNY/OMH Mental Health Scholarship—a transformative initiative advancing...

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Tags: Physician Assistant, School of Health Professions