Dr. Simon S. Rabinowitz Concludes Nearly Four Decades of Service at Downstate

Jul 21, 2026

As he prepares to retire after nearly 40 years at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Simon S. Rabinowitz, M.D., Ph.D., Vice Chairman of Pediatrics and Clinical Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, leaves behind a legacy that reaches far beyond the patients he treated. His impact can be seen in the nationally respected program he built, the generations of physicians he mentored, and the countless children and families whose lives have been changed through his care, research, and leadership.

His retirement comes with one more distinguished honor. The International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP) has named Dr. Rabinowitz its 2026 Pediatric Gastroenterologist of the Year, recognizing a career dedicated to advancing pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition.

When Dr. Rabinowitz joined Downstate in 1987, he had a clear vision: to ensure that children in Brooklyn could receive highly specialized digestive and liver care close to home. He founded the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition and built it into a nationally respected program that became a trusted resource for families throughout Brooklyn and beyond.

Recognizing that advancing children's health also meant training future specialists, he established one of the nation's first ACGME-accredited fellowship programs in pediatric gastroenterology. Graduates of the program now lead divisions, teach, conduct research, and care for children in communities across the country, extending the program's impact far beyond Downstate.

Beyond patient care, Dr. Rabinowitz advanced research that expanded the understanding of pediatric gastrointestinal, liver, pancreatic, and nutritional disorders. His work helped improve the diagnosis and treatment of conditions including necrotizing enterocolitis, pediatric viral hepatitis, eosinophilic esophagitis, and Hirschsprung disease. He also authored educational resources used by physicians nationwide and was consistently recognized as one of Castle Connolly's Best Doctors in New York.

Parents seeking out Dr. Rabinowitz for his expertise also found a physician who listened carefully, explained thoughtfully, and never lost sight of the child behind the diagnosis.

Those who know Dr. Rabinowitz best often point to the example he set every day. He taught that excellence in medicine requires not only scientific knowledge and technical skill, but also patience, humility, curiosity, and compassion for children and their families. His mentorship has influenced pediatricians across the country, who continue to practice with the compassion, humility, and commitment to excellence he instilled.

As Dr. Rabinowitz begins this well-deserved new chapter, the Downstate community thanks him for nearly four decades of exceptional service, unwavering compassion, and lasting contributions to children's health. We wish him every happiness in the years ahead.