Meet the Team

The Office of Academic Affairs is led by Dr. Pascal James Imperato, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer. 

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Pascal James Imperato, MD, MPH & TM
Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Chief Academic Officer

pascal.imperato@downstate.edu
(718) 270-3814

Prior to accepting his current role, Dr. Imperato was Founding Dean and Distinguished Service Professor of the School of Public Health. Before becoming Dean of the newly established School of Public Health in 2008, he was Director of the Master of Public Health Program, the Graduate Program in Public Health and Chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health in the College of Medicine. He received his MD degree from the State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, College of Medicine, and then completed a residency in internal medicine at Long Island College Hospital. He received his MPH&TM degree at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. He holds honorary Doctor of Science degrees from Tulane University and from St. John's University.

After receiving his MPH&TM degree, Dr. Imperato served for six years as a medical epidemiologist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in West Africa, where he directed mass immunization campaigns against smallpox, measles, yellow fever, cholera, and meningococcal meningitis.

Dr. Imperato spent six-years at the New York City Department of Health, during which he successively served as Director of the Bureau of Infectious Disease Control and Principal Epidemiologist, First Deputy Commissioner of Health and Director of the department’s Residency Training Program in Public Health, and as Commissioner of Health and Chair of the Board of Directors of the New York City Health & Hospitals Corporation.

On leaving the New York City Department of Health, he became Professor and Chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health in the College of Medicine at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. He was later appointed Distinguished Service Professor. In 2001, Dr. Imperato assumed the additional responsibility of Director of the Master of Public Health Program. With the steady expansion of the program, he became Dean of the Graduate Program in Public Health and the School of Public Health Initiative, and in 2008 Founding Dean and Dean of the School of Public Health.

From 1980 until 2017, Dr. Imperato served as course director for the Global Health elective, “Health Care in Developing Countries.” His research in recent years has focused on clinical outcomes and health care quality improvement. In 1999, Dr. Imperato received the New York City Department of Health’s Public Health Achievement Award, and in 2008, the Haven Emerson Award of the Public Health Association of New York City for distinguished contributions to public health in New York City.

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Ann Marie Cullen, BA
Administrator
Office of Academic Affairs

annmarie.cullen@downstate.edu
(718) 270-7454

Ann Marie joined the Office of Academic Affairs  in 2017 where she currently serves as the administrator. Ann Marie joined SUNY Downstate in 2011 working in the Human Resource Department. In 2015 she moved to Faculty Affairs before finally moving to Academic Affairs.

Ann Marie recieved a BA in Political Science and Communications from King’s College Wilkes-Barre, PA.  Her professional career began at Chase Automotive Finance Human Resources where she was a Human Resources Generalist and an Assistant Treasurer.  She was responsible for supporting over 2,300 employees in 6 locations throughout the country. Her responsibilities also included training and development, executive recruitment, employee relations and  benefits.

As lead administrator for Academic Affairs Ann Marie provides support for the Senior Vice President as well as its various divisions. Ann Marie also serves on the Commencement Committee and has played a role in several recruitment searches at Downstate. In 2017 Ann Marie became the recipient of the 2017 Diversity Champion Award presented by the Office of Diversity Education and Research at the 1st Annual Dr. Dale Blackstock Woman's History Month Lecture and Awards Ceremony. 

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Stephanie Lewis, BA
Assistant to VP
Office of Academic Affairs

stephanie.lewis@downstate.edu
(718) 270-4082

Stephanie joined the Downstate team in 2023. In her role she will provide administrative support to the Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs as well as supporting the activites of the various divisions under Academic Affairs. She comes to this role with a background in criminal justice, program management, academic support, and community involvement.

Stephanie embarked on her academic journey with a BA in Criminal Justice from John Jay College, laying the groundwork for her career. Prior to her current role at SUNY Downstate's Academic Affairs Department, she gained extensive program management experience in non-profits, overseeing after-school programs across NYC and functioning as a hospital office administrator. Stephanie dedicates her free time to serving as a youth leader and office administrator at Purpose Life Church, reflecting her passion for positive community impact and youth development.

Stephanie aspires to excel both individually and collaboratively in achieving organizational goals. With her background, she is uniquely equipped to support Dr. Imperato and collaborate with Ann Marie Cullen in SUNY Downstate's Academic Affairs Department.

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