News from the University Hospital at Downstate
September 2026

A Message from Balavenkatesh Kanna, M.D., MPH, FACP, FACHE,
Chief Executive Officer, University Hospital at Downstate (UHD),
Vice President of Hospital Affairs

UHD Earns 2026 American Heart Association Stroke Gold Plus Recognition

University Hospital at Downstate (UHD) has earned the 2026 American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll recognition, a national distinction that reflects the quality of stroke care our teams provide every day.

This is based on UHD’s Get With The Guidelines® data from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2025 and recognizes our adherence to nationally established, evidence-based standards for stroke care.

The American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke program helps hospitals use the latest research and treatment guidelines to improve care and outcomes for patients experiencing stroke. Gold Plus recognizes hospitals that consistently meet the program’s quality measures.

UHD also earned a place on the Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll for providing guideline-directed care to stroke patients who also have Type 2 diabetes. Addressing both conditions is particularly important because diabetes can increase the risk of stroke and complicate recovery.

Congratulations to the entire University Hospital at Downstate team on this outstanding achievement and for continuing to advance high-quality stroke care for Brooklyn and beyond.

Community Baby Shower Welcomes Brooklyn Families to Downstate

UHD welcomed back its Community Baby Shower after a hiatus, bringing more than 100 expectant and new mothers and their families to Downstate for a day of education, resources, support, and celebration.

Hosted by the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pediatrics, in partnership with the Office of Government & Community Relations, the event connected families with Downstate's maternal and pediatric services and provided information about pregnancy, childbirth, newborn care, and services available to families after their babies arrive.

Our leadership team welcomed attendees and spoke about access to high-quality maternal health care and Downstate's commitment to Brooklyn's mothers, babies, and families.

Families also had an opportunity to tour Downstate's ten newly renovated maternity suites. The postpartum rooms offer greater privacy and comfort, with private bathrooms and showers, updated amenities, and sleeping accommodations for family members.

Throughout the event, families met with health care professionals and community partners, asked questions, and learned about maternal wellness and available support services. Guests received gift bags with pediatric and mother-baby health information, Downstate resources, and other materials for parents and newborns.

Government & Community Relations, led the event's planning and coordination and helped secure donations for participating families. Members of the Downstate community generously contributed diapers, clothing, and other essentials.

Community partners included The GodSquad Clergy Academy, Council Member Rita Joseph, State Senator Zellnor Myrie, Assembly Member Brian Cunningham, MetroPlus Health, and other organizations committed to supporting healthy families and children. The Alumni Association for the College of Medicine also provided generous in-kind support.

With refreshments, activities, prizes, raffles, giveaways, and plenty of opportunities to connect, the Community Baby Shower was about much more than celebrating new arrivals. It demonstrated what #KeepCareClose means in action—bringing trusted healthcare information, compassionate support, and vital resources directly to the Brooklyn families we are privileged to serve.

Thank you to everyone across Downstate and throughout our community who helped make the return of this special event a success.

Employees of the Month for July 2026 – Ms. Lisa Noel-Deallie, Ms. Kerby Desmornes, and Ms. Elizabeth Burnette: CATH LAB AND PIRR Staff

UHD is proud to recognize Lisa Noel-Deallie, Kerby Desmornes, and Elizabeth Burnette of the Cath Lab and PIRR as our Employees of the Month for July 2026.

Excellent patient care depends on clinical skill, but patients also remember how we make them feel. Lisa, Kerby, and Elizabeth demonstrated the compassion, reassurance, and respect we expect throughout UHD while caring for a patient who later wrote to recognize their professionalism, empathy, and kindness.

The patient’s message reminds us that every member of our team has an opportunity to make a difference. Helping patients feel heard, supported, and confident in their care is an important part of the patient experience.

The patient's words below serve as a powerful reminder that outstanding healthcare extends far beyond a procedure. It is also about helping patients feel heard, supported, and confident in the care they receive.

Congratulations to Lisa, Kerby, and Elizabeth, and thank you to our entire Cath Lab and PIRR team for demonstrating the dedication to patient-centered care that makes UHD a special place to receive care.

In the Patient's Own Words:

I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the exceptional nurses and staff who cared for me during my visit.

Before my procedure, I took the time to prepare and understand what to expect. Even so, what truly made the experience remarkable was the compassion, kindness, and respect with which I was treated. The care I received went far beyond the procedure itself—it brought comfort, reassurance, and confidence during a time when it was needed most.

I would especially like to recognize Nurse Kerby Desmornes, Nurse Elizabeth Burnette, and Nurse Lisa Noel-Deallie. Each of them demonstrated professionalism, empathy, and genuine dedication to patient care. Their warmth and attentiveness transformed what could have been a stressful experience into one that I will always remember with gratitude.

Downstate is truly fortunate to have such outstanding employees. They exemplify the very best of compassionate healthcare, and I hope they receive the recognition they so richly deserve.

Please extend my sincere thanks to each of them for making such a meaningful difference in my experience.

Thank you.

GREAT JOB!!

THANK YOU, CATH LAB AND PIRR STAFF, FOR THE OUTSTANDING TREATMENT I RECEIVED WHILE IN YOUR CARE!!!

Brooklyn Free Clinic Launches Inaugural 5K Run/Walk

Get ready to lace up your sneakers for a great cause! The Brooklyn Free Clinic (BFC) has officially launched registration for its inaugural 5K Run/Walk, taking place November 7.

Led by student leaders Jack Lahn and Cindy Du, the event reflects the dedication and energy of Downstate students committed to supporting the Brooklyn Free Clinic and the patients it serves. Their efforts have brought this exciting event to life while helping raise awareness and vital funds to advance the Clinic’s mission.

The entire Downstate community—faculty, staff, students, residents, fellows, family, and friends—is encouraged to get involved by registering, fundraising, donating, and spreading the word.

Register and learn more: https://events.elitefeats.com/26bkfreeclinic

Join us on November 7 as we come together, get moving, and support the important work of the Brooklyn Free Clinic!

For more information, reach out to Rose Jackman, MPH, at Rose.Jackman@downstate.edu.

UHD Acknowledges

September 2026

Sept. 1^st – Sept. 7^th: National Clinical Nurse Specialist Week

Sept. 6^th – Sept. 12^th: Vascular Nurses Week

Sept. 12^th – Sept. 18^th: Neonatal Nurses Week

Sept. 13^th – Sept. 19^th: Environmental Services Week

Sept. 14^th – Sept. 18^th: Malnutrition Awareness Week

Sept. 14^th – Sept. 20^th: National Rehabilitation Awareness Week

Sept. 21^st – Sept. 25^th: Falls Prevention Awareness Week

Sept. 17^th: World Patient Safety Day

Sept. 18^th: National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day

Sept. 25^th: World Lung Day

Sept. 26^th: Mesothelioma Awareness Day

Sept. 28^th: 2^nd Annual Staff Education Day for UHD staff

Sept. 29^th: World Heart Day

National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

National Sickle Cell Awareness Month

Blood Cancer Awareness Month

Healthy Aging Month

World Alzheimer’s Month/Day (Sept. 21^st)

Pain Awareness Month

National Suicide Prevention Month

National Preparedness Month