Faculty Spotlight
Dr. Brigitte Desport Accepted into NYSSSC Coaching Academy!
In exciting news, Brigitte Desport, DPS, OTR/L, BCP, ATP, Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Associate Professor in the Occupational
Therapy Program for the School of Health Professions (SOHP), was admitted into the NYS Student Success Center (NYSSSC) Coaching Academy’s
Spring 2021 Cohort! Admission into the Academy is a competitive honor with only 15
professionals from various institutions throughout the State selected annually. Dr.
Desport will be provided additional training and support to effectively launch and
lead comprehensive student success innovations right here at Downstate.
The NYSSSC, sponsored by SUNY in partnership with its community of stakeholders, was
established to emphasize the importance and value of evidence-based practices in student
development programming designed to drive academic and professional success. In support
of its mission, the NYSSSC launched a Student Success Coaching Academy, which brings
seasoned leaders in academia, like Dr. Desport, from New York State who have demonstrated
a commitment to cultivating growth and advancement amongst New York State’s higher-ed
student population.
Dr. Desport and her fellow cohort members will work collaboratively to deliver on
the NYSSC mission by building substantive student success reform capacity, innovation,
and leadership across the state; supporting evidence-based strategies that support
student success reforms at scale for all students; and identifying structural and
cultural practices and policies that positively impact campus-based student success
and support closing equity gaps.”
CONGRATULATIONS on this wonderful achievement, Dr. Desport! Your work with the NYSSSC
will be pivotal in supporting and advancing the scholarship and professional growth
of our student body.
Dr. Michael A. Joseph Bids Downstate Adieu
I write today to share the bittersweet news that Michael A. Joseph, PhD, MPH, Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs and Associate Professor of Epidemiology
for the School of Public Health (SPH), is leaving Downstate to serve as Vice Dean
for Education at the Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health.
Dr. Joseph has served as an invaluable educator and mentor—both within SPH and throughout
Downstate—over the last 16 years. working to enhance the competitive edge of our academic
programming, the exit opportunities of our student body, and the career development
of junior faculty members. His selfless and unflagging commitment to advancing our
school and institution to new standards of excellence and innovation has been exemplary—earning
him great respect from faculty, students, academic peer institutions, and community
partners alike. In addition to his current role, Dr. Joseph has served as Vice Chair
of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatics and Interim Chair of the Department
of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, working to strengthen departmental
leadership and streamline operational processes across the School of Public Health.
On January 7, 2019, Dr. Joseph was appointed as the Vice Dean for Academic and Student
Affairs for SPH. Upon the appointment of SPH Dean Kitaw Demissie, M.D., Ph.D., he immediately stepped up as his right hand—working to provide critical insights
into the lay of Downstate’s land, and smoothly transitioning Dr. Demissie into his
new role as Dean of SPH.
During his two-year tenure as Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, under his
strategic guidance, SPH experienced significant growth in student enrollment tied
to his intentional growth strategy that included the development of a strong recruitment
and enrollment team. As a direct result of his expertise, SPH successfully created
articulation agreements with three New York colleges with significant minority and
first-generation student populations: SUNY Westbury, Department of Public Health;
Medgar Evers College, School of Science, Health and Technology and School of Business;
and Brooklyn College, Department of Health and Nutrition Science.
Dr. Joseph’s time at Downstate is marked by rare leadership. He is one of those few
that understands that in order to lead a body to new heights, you must stand with
them, not apart or above. In every position, he rallied various SPH teams together—bringing
the same approachable energy, enthusiasm, respect, and encouraging stewardship to
every challenge. For many SPH students, Dr. Joseph’s presence ignited and fueled their
motivation to achieve their maximum potential—enhancing student retention rates and
contributing significantly to our primary mission—to diversify the next generation
of public health leaders.
It is always a sad day when you must bid a revered colleague farewell. That said,
Dr. Joseph’s departure is a testament to the quality and distinction of our faculty.
When our leadership move into new roles that advance their careers, it speaks greatly
to the professional experience and foundation they developed at Downstate.
Dr. Joseph will continue in his role as Vice Dean at Downstate until February 1st, 2021, and his new appointment will take effect on March 1st, 2021. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Joseph, and wishing him much success
and happiness in his new role.
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The course — developed and led by Lori A. Hoepner, DrPH, MPH, Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences
— was introduced in the Fall 2019 Term as a SPH core curriculum course. The course
was designed to articulate for MPH scholars the close connection between public health
practice and health care by identifying the overlapping components.
