Isabel McFarlane, MD, FACP

Isabel M. McFarlane, MD, FACP is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine and Director of the 3rd Year Medicine Clerkship at SUNY Downstate Medical Center. Dr. McFarlane received her medical degree from The Catholic University of Guayaquil School of Medicine in Guayaquil, Ecuador. She completed her Internal Medicine Residency and Fellowship in Rheumatology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, followed by a Research Fellowship on the subject of heart rate variability in systemic lupus erythematosus. The American Federation for Clinical Research granted Dr. McFarlane the Henry Christian Award in Cardiovascular Research, for her pioneer work that established the presence of autonomic dysfunction among lupus patients.

During her tenure as Senior Associate Director  of  Quality and Risk Management at Kings County Hospital Center, Dr. Isabel McFarlane  served as a leader for  a number of  quality improvements projects  and  received the Doctor’s Day Award in  2010.

Dr. McFarlane’s interest in research continued when joining SUNY Downstate back as the Associate Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program.  Her work was translated into numerous abstract submissions and multiple manuscripts of investigative work ranging from rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and more recently cardiovascular disease among rheumatoid arthritis population. 

Most impressive is Dr. McFarlane’s dedication and commitment that is inspiring the next generation of physician-scientists.

Through her former post as Associate Program Director of Internal Medicine and now as the Medicine Clerkship Director, Dr. Isabel McFarlane has become a magnet for students, residents and fellows providing high quality research and numerous publication opportunities together with career advisements that made her a highly sought-after as a mentor and clinician scholar for SUNY Downstate.

In May of  2024, Dr. McFarlane received the "Outstanding Educator in the Clinical Years"  for her dedication towards the students and innovation in pedagogy during the College of Medicine School of Graduate Studies Awards Ceremony;  and in February of  2024, the University Hospital Downstate granted Dr. McFarlane the "Outstanding and Dedicated HCAPS Service Award" based on data from patients' surveys regarding her clinical care, bedside manners, responsiveness and compassion towards the patients.  

Education

• Medical School: Universidad Catolica de Guayaquil
• Internship: Catholic Medical Center of Brooklyn and Queens
• Residency: SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
• Fellowship: SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University