Appointment of Dr. Brigitte C. Desport As Interim Dean, School of Health Professions; Retirement of Dean Allen N. Lewis, Jr.
By Office of the President | Jun 1, 2026
Effective today, June 1, 2026, Brigitte C. Desport, D.P.S., OTR/L, BCP, ATP, will serve as Interim Dean of the School of Health Professions.
Dr. Desport currently serves as Associate Dean of Strategic Initiatives and as an Associate Professor in the Occupational Therapy Program. Her appointment ensures strong leadership continuity and continued momentum across the School’s academic, clinical, and strategic priorities.
Dr. Desport brings extensive experience as a clinician, educator, and administrator. She earned her Doctor of Professional Studies in Occupational Therapy from New York University, and her leadership has played a key role in advancing strategic initiatives across the School. Her combination of clinical expertise, academic achievement, and operational insight positions her exceptionally well to lead the School during this interim period.
I thank Dr. Desport for accepting this responsibility and ask the entire School of Health Professions community to join me in supporting her in this role.
This transition also marks the retirement of Allen N. Lewis, Jr., PhD, CRC, after 10 years of steadfast service as Dean of the School of Health Professions.
During his tenure, Dr. Lewis expanded the School’s programmatic footprint, increased
research capacity and productivity, strengthened accreditation readiness, and embedded
data-driven decision-making into the School’s culture.
Dr. Lewis also advanced interprofessional education through several annual initiatives, including the Interprofessional Education Case Study Event; established the SOHP Alumni Association; launched the annual Career Alumni Networking Event; and enriched the student experience through his signature Dean’s Lecture Series.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Lewis for his leadership, vision, and dedication to the School of Health Professions and Downstate. Please join me in wishing him every happiness and success in his retirement.