Downstate Doctors Named Healthcare Heroes for Saving Lives And Lifting Communities

By Office of Communications & Marketing | Apr 14, 2025

Dr. Teresa Y. Smith-Bellille and Dr. Jeffrey M. Birnbaum to be Honored as Healthcare Heroes

Brooklyn, NY— SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University (Downstate) announced that proud Brooklyn residents Teresa Y. Smith-Bellille, M.D., MSEd, FACEP, and Jeffrey M. Birnbaum, M.D., MPH will be among the upcoming Schneps Media Healthcare Heroes celebration—an event recognizing exceptional individuals whose compassion, leadership, and service have left a lasting mark on the health and well-being of New Yorkers every day or in times of crisis. Their recognition celebrates their excellence and affirms Downstate’s commitment to advancing health and healing in Brooklyn’s underserved communities.

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Drs. Smith-Bellille and Birnbaum on this well-earned honor,” said Wayne J. Riley, M.D., President of SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. “Their work reflects the very best of Downstate—leading with purpose, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to equity. By keeping care close to those who need it most, they are improving lives today and shaping the future of healthcare in Brooklyn and beyond.”

“Drs. Smith-Bellille and Birnbaum reflect the very best of Downstate,” said F. Charles Brunicardi, M.D., FACS, Dean of the College of Medicine. “Their leadership strengthens how we deliver care in the communities we serve. Through their compassion and advocacy, they ensure our patients feel seen, respected, and supported.”

“Dr. Smith-Bellille and Dr. Birnbaum stand out because their dedication extends far beyond clinical care,” said Patricia A. Winston, DNP, MS, RN, NEA-BC, Interim CEO of University Hospital at Downstate. “They work hard to ensure that every patient—especially those too often overlooked—receives the respect, attention, and quality care they deserve. Their impact helps build trust and foster lasting connections between the hospital and the communities we serve.”

Teresa Y. Smith-Bellille, M.D., MSEd, FACEP, a 20-year Brooklyn resident is Associate Dean of Graduate Medical Education and Interim Chair of Emergency Medicine. As a recognized leader in academic emergency medicine and advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Dr. Smith-Bellille has helped reshape training programs to be more inclusive, earning distinguished recognitions like the National Minority Quality Forum’s 40 Under 40 and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education’s Barbara Ross-Lee, DO DEI Award.

In 2020, she authored a widely read New York Daily News op-ed encouraging COVID-19 vaccination in the Black community—an example of her ongoing commitment to blending medical education with culturally responsive public health outreach.

“To be honored for doing the work I feel called to do is humbling and motivating,” said Dr. Smith-Bellille. “As a Black woman in medicine, I know firsthand how representation matters in who we care for and who delivers the care. I carry my community with me into every classroom, every emergency room, and every mentoring relationship. This recognition reflects all those who poured into me and my deep belief that equity in healthcare starts with equity in training.”

Lifelong Brooklyn resident Jeffrey M. Birnbaum, M.D., MPH, is Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Public Health, and Executive Director of the HEAT Program at Downstate. For more than 30 years, he has led Brooklyn’s only full-service clinic for HIV-positive and at-risk youth ages 13 to 29, delivering integrated medical, mental health, and social services to vulnerable populations. As a nationally recognized advocate for gender-affirming care, Dr. Birnbaum is also a vocal activist against legal efforts to restrict LGBTQ+ healthcare, emphasizing its life-saving importance.

At the height of the pandemic, fully suited in protective gear, Dr. Birnbaum personally delivered medications to homebound patients—ensuring uninterrupted care during one of the most uncertain times in modern healthcare. His influence extends far beyond Brooklyn, with global contributions to HIV policy and treatment through strategic collaborations with the World Health Organization and UNICEF.

“I’ve always believed that healthcare should meet people where they are—without judgment, without barriers, and with open arms,” said Dr. Birnbaum. “This recognition shines a light on the young people we serve, many of whom live on the margins. The HEAT Program is more than a clinic—it’s a safe space, a home, and a future. I share this award with every teen who has walked through our doors and chosen to trust us with their care.”

Drs. Smith-Bellille and Birnbaum exemplify compassionate, community-centered healthcare leadership rooted in equity. Their unwavering commitment to serving those too often overlooked—while mentoring and inspiring the next generation of medical professionals—demonstrates the transformative power of care that reaches far beyond the clinical setting.

The Healthcare Heroes Awards celebration will take place on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Terrace on the Park in Queens.

About SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University

Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn is one of four Academic Medical 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.

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