Message from the Chair

Our Clinical Services

Our department operates two clinical practices: Suite B, located within University Hospital at Downstate (UHD), and Downstate Family Health Services, situated at 253 Empire Boulevard, about one mile from our main campus. Both sites play a vital role in the training of our residents and students. Additionally, we run an active family medicine inpatient service at UHD. We are dedicated to providing outstanding, compassionate care while offering top-tier education to the next generation of family physicians and community health leaders. Together, we work to make a lasting impact on individuals, families, and populations, ensuring accessible, comprehensive, and preventive healthcare for all.

Collaboration with Other Departments

In addition to our outpatient and inpatient clinical services, we understand that effective healthcare is best delivered through collaboration. This approach is essential to providing our residents with a well-rounded and comprehensive educational experience. One key partnership is with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ensuring that our residents gain a deep understanding and exposure to both the medical and surgical aspects of women's health.  We offer routine prenatal care in our clinics, and collaborate in the labor and delivery suite with the team of obstetricians to gain hands-on experience in managing labor, assisting with deliveries, and responding to complications like fetal distress or maternal hemorrhage.  We follow our patients through the postpartum, caring for both mother and newborn.  We also collaborate with the Department of Pediatrics, further equipping our residents with the skills to care for families across the lifespan.

Another important collaboration is with the Department of Internal Medicine and its various subspecialties. This partnership fosters a multidisciplinary teaching approach that enriches our residents' learning experience. Through shared expertise, joint clinical experiences, and co-managed care, our residents benefit from a wide range of elective rotations. They are trained to be adaptable, empathetic, and highly skilled physicians, capable of delivering seamless, high-quality care to the communities we serve. Together, we are shaping the future of healthcare with an emphasis on collaboration, continuity, and excellence.

Our Curriculum

Our department offers comprehensive educational programs that seamlessly integrate clinical training with academic learning. Our curriculum is designed to equip students and residents with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in diverse urban healthcare systems. It emphasizes continuity of care, preventive medicine, and addressing the social determinants of health that are often present in inner-city environments. Residents gain hands-on experience in managing chronic care, navigating a wide range of clinical complexities. Our outpatient and inpatient settings provide a robust environment for residents to work closely with experienced physicians and specialists, ensuring a well-rounded education in patient care.

Community Outreach and Partnerships

As part of our commitment to community service, our department is involved in various outreach programs aimed at improving the health of underserved populations. We collaborate with local organizations, schools, and public health initiatives to address the specific needs of vulnerable groups, including the homeless and migrants. Our outreach efforts include providing health education, offering screenings, and delivering healthcare services to these populations in need.