News from the University Hospital at Downstate
January/February 2026

A Message from Patricia A. Winston, DNP, MS, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE 
Interim CEO of University Hospital at Downstate

Celebrate Patient Safety Week at Downstate: Join Us for the Patient Safety and Quality Fair

Patient Safety Week is an important opportunity to highlight the work being done across Downstate to make care safer, smarter, and more effective for our patients and our community. In celebration, the University Hospital at Downstate will host the Patient Safety and Quality Fair—a dynamic, engaging event showcasing patient safety, process improvement, and quality improvement initiatives from across our institution.

On Thursday, March 12, staff, students, and faculty will have the opportunity to present innovative ideas and projects designed to strengthen patient care and improve our policies, processes, and practices. From frontline improvements to system-wide initiatives, this fair will spotlight the creativity and dedication of the Downstate community. The top projects selected will earn exciting prizes, recognizing excellence and impact in patient safety and quality.

The Patient Safety and Quality Fair promises to be an energizing experience, featuring inspiring speakers, interactive games, and an exceptional keynote presentation. Attendees will also hear remarks from members of Downstate’s leadership, reinforcing our shared commitment to continuous improvement and excellence in care.

Our vision at the University Hospital at Downstate is to be the “Best Place to Get Care and the Best Place to Give Care.” This event reflects that vision by bringing together best practices and fresh ideas that improve outcomes for the communities we serve. Every member of the Downstate team—physicians, nurses, employees, and students—plays a vital role in advancing patient safety and quality.

We encourage all members of the Downstate community to register and take part in this exciting and meaningful event. We are confident that you will leave feeling motivated, inspired, and energized about patient safety and quality improvement at Downstate.

CLICK HERE for registration information for the Patient Safety and Quality Fair and join us as an attendee on Thursday, March 12. Please be sure to register before the event.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, share, and celebrate the important work happening every day at Downstate.

Gratitude to our Division of Transplantation

Downstate’s Kidney Transplant Program reflects the very best of who we are. Rooted in a proud history of innovation, guided by clinical excellence, and defined by deep compassion for patients and families, the program continues to expand access to life-saving transplant care for the communities we serve.

The program’s service to the community spans more than 50 years, beginning in 1965 with the pioneering work of Samuel L. Kountz, M.D., an African American trailblazer in transplantation who established Brooklyn’s first kidney transplant program while serving as Downstate’s Chief of Surgery. That legacy of breaking barriers and expanding access to life-saving care continues today.

Our Kidney Transplant Program has long been recognized for leadership and innovation. It was the first program in New York State to perform a kidney-pancreas transplant and a dual kidney transplant, and among the first in the nation to perform laparoscopic kidney removal from living donors. These milestones reflect Downstate’s commitment to advancing transplant medicine while improving patient outcomes. Today, Downstate remains the first kidney transplant program in Brooklyn.

In January 2022, a patient with end-stage kidney disease received a life-saving kidney transplant at Downstate—an experience the patient’s family later described as a genuine second chance at life. In a heartfelt reflection shared with the transplant team, the family emphasized how the compassion, accessibility, and steady reassurance provided throughout the process made a profound difference during moments of uncertainty.

The family described feeling supported at every stage of the journey, noting that the transplant team was consistently welcoming, attentive, and easy to reach whenever questions or concerns arose. They highlighted that this level of care extended well beyond the operating room, continuing through recovery and long-term follow-up. They also expressed deep gratitude to the donor family whose generosity made the transplant possible, recognizing kidney donation as a powerful act of compassion that gives others the gift of life.

The family offered special thanks to Sumanth C. Suresh, M.D., FACS, Assistant Professor of Surgery and Chief of Transplant Surgery and Surgical Oncology, whose leadership, personal engagement, and commitment to accessibility provided clarity and comfort during critical moments. Nearly four years later, and even after undergoing significant cardiac surgery, the patient continues to do well—a testament to the lasting impact of expert, compassionate transplant care at Downstate.

Stories like this honor the enduring vision of Dr. Samuel L. Kountz and the ongoing dedication of Downstate’s multidisciplinary transplant team. Each transplant is more than a medical achievement—it restores time, strengthens families, and renews hope. For those awaiting a transplant, experiences like this serve as a powerful reminder that organ donation, paired with expert and compassionate care, makes second chances possible.

Thousands of New Yorkers are still waiting for a life-saving transplant. Nearly 8,000 New Yorkers remain on the national transplant waiting list, many awaiting a kidney. One organ donor can save up to eight lives, yet the need far exceeds the available organs. You can help by registering as an organ and tissue donor with the New York State Donate Life Registry. By donating, you may give individuals and families a second chance at life.

Employee of the Month for January 2026 – Juan Estrella, Supervisor, Mailroom Services Center

Below is a testimonial from a colleague at Downstate highlighting the invaluable contributions of Mr. Juan Estrella, our January 2026 Employee of the Month. We extend our sincere gratitude for his dedication, professionalism, and continued commitment to excellence. Thank you, Mr. Estrella, for all that you do to support Downstate and our mission.

Juan is a kind, dedicated leader committed to ensuring that every department across Downstate receives exceptional service. Whether assisting clinical units, supporting administrative departments, or guiding his own team, Juan consistently goes above and beyond always with professionalism, patience, and a smile.

Juan joined Downstate twenty-seven years ago and started as a mailroom supply clerk who was later promoted to Supervisor of the Mailroom. Under Juan’s leadership, Central Receiving and Mail Services has become a model of reliability and customer service. He takes the time each day to remind his employees of the value of their work, fostering a culture where staff feel supported, appreciated, and motivated. His steady presence and encouragement have strengthened team morale and elevated the performance of the entire unit

Operationally, Juan has played a pivotal role in transforming the internal receiving area and dock. Through his hands-on support and strong organizational oversight, he has helped ensure that inbound materials are processed promptly and efficiently, clearing the dock and internal spaces of backlog and enabling faster delivery across the hospital. His focus on order, safety, and workflow continuity has significantly improved the experience of customers who rely on the timely receipt of critical supplies.

Juan’s commitment to service excellence, staff development, and operational readiness makes him an invaluable member of the Supply Chain team at Downstate. I am proud that he is part of the Supply Chain Team.

UHD Acknowledges

JANUARY

Awareness Days:

• January 12^th: National Pharmacist Day
• January 23^rd: Maternal Health Awareness Day

Awareness Weeks:

• January 18^th – 24^th: National Healthy Weight Week
• January 18^th – 24^th: National CRNA Week

All Month (JANUARY):

• Cervical Health Awareness Month
• National Birth Defects Awareness Month
• National Blood Donor Month
• National Glaucoma Awareness Month

FEBRUARY

Awareness Days: 

• February 3^rd: National Women Physicians Day
• February 7^th: National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
• February 9^th-15^th: Cardiovascular Professionals Week

Awareness Weeks: 

• February 1^st- 7^th: National Patient Recognition Week
• February 11^th-17^th: National Cardiac Rehabilitation Week
• February 26^th - March 3^rd: National Eating Disorders Awareness Week

All Month (FEBRUARY):

• American Heart Month
• Black History Month
• National Cancer Prevention Month
• Wise Health Care Consumer Month