Statement on University Hospital of Brooklyn Designated by Governor Cuomo as A COVID-19 Only Facility
By Office of Communications & Marketing | Mar 28, 2020
CONTACT: Dawn Skeete-Walker | Dawn.Walker@downstate.edu | (347) 533-2071
The United States has surpassed Italy and China with over 100,000 coronavirus cases; more than 52,000 cases are in New York State, nearly 30,000 are in New York City, and more than 7,000 cases are in Brooklyn.
SUNY Downstate is answering Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s directive to prepare University Hospital of Brooklyn as a COVID-19 only facility. We are working closely with neighboring hospitals to transfer patients and continue the highest level of care that our patients, their families, and the community expect.
Our heroes on the front lines and other essential staff are working around the clock to care for COVID-19 patients and those with related symptoms. We will work tirelessly with our partners at every level to prepare for the challenges ahead, and stand ready with them to meet those efforts with perseverance and compassion to combat the anticipated COVID-19 apex and save lives.
University Hospital of Brooklyn’s dedicated medical, nursing, respiratory therapy, environmental services, and other professional staff remain ready to care for COVID-19 patients as we had been doing since our first patient a few weeks ago.
Wayne J. Riley, M.D.
President
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
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About SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University is the borough’s only academic medical center for health education, research, and patient care, and is a 342-bed facility serving the healthcare needs of New York City, and Brooklyn’s 2.6 million residents. University Hospital of Brooklyn (UHB) is Downstate’s teaching hospital, backed by the expertise of an outstanding medical school and the research facilities of a world-class academic center. More than 800 physicians, representing 53 specialties and subspecialties—many of them ranked as tops in their fields—comprise Downstate's staff.
A regional center for cardiac care, neonatal and high-risk infant services, pediatric dialysis, and transplantation, Downstate also houses a major learning center for children with physical ailments or neurological disorders. In addition to UHB, Downstate comprises a College of Medicine, College of Nursing, School of Health Professions, a School of Graduate Studies, a School of Public Health, and a multifaceted biotechnology initiative, including the Downstate Biotechnology Incubator and BioBAT for early-stage and more mature companies, respectively. For more information, visit www.downstate.edu or follow us on Twitter at @sunydownstate.