News from the University Hospital at Downstate
December 2023

A Message from David H. Berger, MD, MHCM, FACS, CEO of University Hospital at Downstate

As the year draws to a close, it gives me great pleasure to share with you some of our exceptional achievements. This way, we can all see the fruits of our labor and the fantastic performance of UHD. Please review the slides below that vividly demonstrate why we are the Best Place to Get Care and the Best Place to Give Care.

I extend my heartfelt wishes for a joyous and safe holiday season as we look forward to the New Year. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to safety and progress at Downstate as we continue to reach new heights. Your tireless efforts have been key to our success, and I am grateful for your dedication.

The 2023 Culture of Safety Survey saw a 20% increase in participation from the last time we sent one out in 2021. Thank you for taking the initiative to keep our patients and employees at Downstate safer. This heightened engagement reflects our collective commitment to maintaining a safe and supportive environment.

Recent findings from The Joint Commission highlight a significant accomplishment: not only do we meet the National Average for Requirements for Improvement, but we also stand below the national average in High-Risk Findings. This achievement is particularly noteworthy as it underscores our commitment to providing a safer environment for patient care and sets us apart from other hospitals in this crucial aspect.

Our notable progress can be largely attributed to the diligent efforts of the Regulatory Preparedness Committee, which convenes frequently to tackle pressing issues. This, along with your remarkable contributions in the hospital and other clinical areas, has been vital to our advancements.

Below is a summary of the accolades and achievements we received in the past year, which show the strengths and accomplishments of the clinical arm at our institution. There is so much to be proud of at Downstate Health!

Employee of the Month for November 2023, Marie Josee Lauture

Marie Josee Lauture, EKG Associate, has been a dedicated member of the Downstate team since 2017. She began her journey as an agency Nursing Assistant, then came on board as part of the float team in 2019, and continued part-time as a Nursing Assistant.

In 2021 Ms. Lauture was hired full-time, as an EKG Associate in the MICU. She is a great asset to the unit and is known for dependability and reliability. She consistently goes above and beyond to help all staff, never hesitating to offer assistance.

Ms. Lauture always answers or returns our calls rapidly and is on time every day. She even looks at the schedule and activities in the unit and volunteers to come in earlier. This demonstrates her deep care not only for her colleagues but also for the hospital as a whole. She is a valuable employee who epitomizes UHD’s values of accountability and excellence.  

Please join me in congratulating Ms. Lauture.

Join Us for Our UHD Holiday Celebration