Four SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University Faculty and Staff Members Honored for Professional Excellence
Jun 7, 2011
Harvey Jay Cohen, MD, an expert on geriatric medicine and oncology, and Florence Clark, PhD, OTR/L, president of the American Occupational Therapy Association addressed the graduates of SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University at ceremonies held May 26 at Carnegie Hall.
Dr. Cohen received an honorary doctor of science degree and delivered the keynote at the ceremony for graduates of the College of Medicine, School of Graduate Studies, and School of Public Health. An alumnus of the College of Medicine, Class of 1965, he recounted his formative experiences as a student at Downstate and at Duke University, where he helped advance the practice and teaching of geriatric medicine. Dr. Cohen advised the graduates to be flexible and open to new possibilities throughout their careers: “There are wonderful opportunities out there; embrace them, and you will do fine.” Dr. Cohen is currently the Walter Kempner Professor of Medicine at Duke and director of its Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development.
Honorary doctorates were also awarded to Ann C. Anderson, PhD, professor emerita at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and to Sidney Cohen, MD, a 1964 graduate of the College of Medicine and a leader in gastroenterology. Another alumnus, Benjamin A. Rosenberg, MD, clinical professor of medicine at SUNY Downstate, received the Ailanthus Award in recognition of his many years of service to the medical center. Dr. Rosenberg graduated in 1950.
The College of Medicine graduated 193 physicians and the School of Graduates Studies granted 17 scientists doctoral degrees, including four graduates of the joint MD-PhD program. The School of Public Health graduated 30 new public health professionals with master’s degrees.
At separate ceremonies for graduates of the Colleges of Nursing and Health Related Professions, Dr. Florence Clark was awarded an honorary doctor of science degree in recognition of her contributions to allied health. As head of a national organization of nearly 40,000 occupational therapists, she is working to advance the profession and to improve consumer access to health care. In her keynote address, Dr. Clark noted the continued need for cooperation among the health professions. “It is going to be the era of the interprofessional team,” she said.
The College of Nursing granted 201 Bachelor of Science or Master of Science degrees, while the School of Health Professions graduated 134 new allied health professionals.
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About SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn is one of four academic health centers (AMCs) in The State University of New York (SUNY) 64-campus system and the only SUNY AMC in New York City dedicated to health education, research, and patient care for the borough’s 2.7 million residents. Its flagship hospital, University Hospital at Downstate (UHD), is a teaching hospital and benefits from the expertise of Downstate’s exceptional medical school and world-class academic center research facilities. With a staff of over 800 physicians representing 53 specialties and subspecialties, Downstate offers comprehensive healthcare services to the community.
UHD provides high-risk neonatal and infant services, pediatric nephrology, and dialysis for kidney diseases and is the only kidney transplantation program in Brooklyn. Beyond its clinical expertise, Downstate houses a range of esteemed educational institutions, including its College of Medicine, College of Nursing, School of Health Professions, School of Graduate Studies, and School of Public Health. Downstate fosters innovation through its multifaceted biotechnology initiative, the Biotechnology Incubator and BioBAT, which support early-stage and more mature biotech companies.