SUNY Downstate Announces The Appointment of New Division Chief of Hematology and Oncology
By Office of Communications & Marketing | Sep 8, 2020
MEDIA CONTACT: Dawn S. Walker | Dawn.walker@downstate.edu | (347) 533-2071
Brooklyn, NY — SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University announced the appointment of Dr. Seah H. Lim as its new Division Chief of Hematology and Oncology at the University Hospital of
Brooklyn (UHB), effective August 3rd, 2020.
Dr. Lim will lead the clinical, academic, and administrative facets of the Hematology and Oncology program. He will also build a coalition of cancer specialists with affiliate institutions to promote excellence in cancer care through service line realignment.
"I welcome Dr. Lim as our new Division Chief of Hematology and Oncology," said Chief of Medicine Moro Salifu, M.D. "His expertise as a cancer care specialist and a researcher and scientist enhances
Downstate's profile. His clinical and academic experiences are instrumental in re-vitalizing
cancer care at Downstate. While we continue growing and implementing innovations to
enhance partnerships with affiliates and practitioners, Dr. Lim’s efforts will augment
our competitiveness in both the healthcare and education marketplace."
"I am honored that Dr. Lim has joined SUNY Downstate," said Downstate College of Medicine dean F. Charles Brunicardi, M.D. "Growing our cancer care mission and precision cancer medicine program at Downstate
are critical to serving the patients in our community who are battling cancer. Dr.
Lim's appointment allows us to focus on providing other critical services to those
in need, and we look forward to the lives we can save under his leadership."
"I am excited to join the SUNY Downstate's University Hospital of Brooklyn," said Hematology-Oncology Division Chief Dr. Lim. "The importance of cancer care and research has never been more critical as our world
has changed significantly in the face of this global pandemic. Our ability to work
with our partners in fighting cancer is critical to winning the fight and concentrating
in other areas to bring solid solutions for our communities."
"We welcome Dr. Lim to SUNY Downstate and look forward to what we can accomplish under
his leadership," saidInterim UHB CEO Patricia A. Winston, M.S., R.N. "His expertise in cancer care is critical to the communities we serve, helping to
expand and enhance our portfolio of cancer care and research."
Malaysia-born Dr. Lim began his career in cancer care in the United Kingdom. For the
past 20 years, he served in various leadership capacities in the United States. He
was a tenured Professor, Chief of the Division of Hematology and Oncology, and Director
of the Bone Marrow Transplant Program, at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center,
Clinical Professor and Director of Acute Leukemia at the University of Pittsburgh
Medical Center NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Professor and Director
of Hematology at Brown University.
Before joining Downstate, Dr. Lim was Director of Hematology Acting Chief in the Division
of Hematology and Hemostasis, and also Associate Director of the Hematology and Oncology
Fellowship Program at Westchester Medical Center. He was also Professor of Medicine
and Pharmacology and Division Chief, and Director of Hematology at New York Medical
College.
Dr. Lim pursued medical education at Aberdeen University, Scotland, followed by a specialization in hematology-oncology training at the University College London and Cambridge University. He was recruited to the University of Wales College of Medicine. He rose to the rank of Associate Professor before leaving the United Kingdom for the United States.
Dr. Lim is a physician-scientist specializing in tumor immunology, immunotherapy, precision medicine, and the effects of the intestinal microbiome on sickle cell disease. His laboratory discovered four novel tumor antigens suitable for cancer immunotherapy, and he has held several NIH/NCI R01 research grants. Dr. Lim is also credited as the first researcher to demonstrate the occurrence of altered intestinal microbiome and increased gut permeability in patients with sickle cell disease. He has published nearly 160 papers in high-impact medical and scientific journals and holds several patents on his discoveries.
Dr. Lim will be assisted by Dr. Elvira Neculeseanu as Director of the Infusion Unit. Dr. Neculeseanu is a 2014 graduate of Downstate's Internal Medicine Residency Program and a 2017 graduate of the Hematology-Oncology Fellowship Program. She was retained as faculty because of her exemplary work.
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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.