SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University Alumni Association Appoints Kristian R. Balgobin as its New Executive Director
Apr 25, 2018
Brooklyn, NY— The SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University Alumni Association today announced the appointment of Kristian R. Balgobin as its new Executive Director, succeeding Eric T. Shoen-Ukre. Mr. Balgobin’s appointment reflects SUNY Downstate’s continued dedication to building an administration that reflects the diversity of the community we serve and maintaining an inclusive atmosphere for all of our students.
“Kristian is already known to many of our students, alumni, and colleagues on campus where he has worked in our Alumni Association Office over the past year,” said SUNY Downstate College of Medicine Alumni Association president Suzanne Mirra, MD. “We are confident that Kristian will work effectively with our board, alumni, office staff, and the Downstate community to enhance the support we provide to our medical students including research scholarships, travel grants, and many other benefits.”
Balgobin has worked extensively with nonprofit organizations including the Gender and Sexuality Center; Foundation for Sustainable Development; ALFA Educational Society; and Synergy Today, a group that partners with local nonprofits in New York and Haiti to empower underprivileged youth to reach their goals. As demonstrated by this experience, Balgobin is dedicated to sustainable development, LGBTQ mental health, youth empowerment and Caribbean American lived experiences.
“I am elated to take on this new role with the Alumni Association,” said Mr. Balgobin. “Our Alumni Association is a reflection a variety of voices and experiences represented in the College of Medicine, each committed to the success of all our students, and I look forward to enhancing the medical student experience here at SUNY Downstate.”
A native of Barbados, Kristian grew up in Brooklyn not far from the SUNY Downstate campus. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of San Francisco.
About SUNY Downstate Alumni Association - College of Medicine
Established in 1880, the Alumni Association's mission is to promote the interests and improve the effectiveness of the College, to foster fellowship among our alumni, provide financial support and mentoring services for our medical students, and to enhance opportunities to network. The Alumni Association has more than 10,400 members throughout the United States and globally.
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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.