Dr. Callender (center), Dr. Wayne J. Riley (to his left), and Dr. Pascale Imperato
(in red).
Photo Credit: SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Downstate Health Sciences University Holds Class Of 2025 Commencement Ceremonies
By Office of Communiucations and Marketing | May 22, 2025
Over 600 Graduates Poised to Advance Health Equity Across Brooklyn and Beyond
Howard University’s Clive O. Callender, M.D. Receives Honorary Degree for Transplant Justice Work
BROOKLYN, NY— SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University (Downstate) celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2025 yesterday in two separate commencement ceremonies honoring more than 600 graduates from its College of Medicine, College of Nursing, School of Health Professions, School of Graduate Studies, and School of Public Health. This diverse and dynamic new generation of physicians, nurses, researchers, public health leaders, and allied health professionals will shape the future of healthcare far beyond Brooklyn and beyond through their academic achievement, clinical mastery and excellence, and steadfast commitment to equity and community-centered care.
The two commencement ceremonies celebrated the transition from intensive academic preparation and community-based training to the next stage of professional growth. This year’s graduates embody Downstate’s diversity, resilience, and mission-driven spirit. They are now prepared to contribute meaningfully to healthcare, education, and scientific discovery—locally, nationally, and globally.
Among the many highlights from this year’s graduating class is that approximately 79 percent of the graduating medical students will remain in New York State to complete their residency training. Over half will stay in New York City, including 33 graduates who matched at Downstate. This strong in-state retention rate underscores the institution’s deep roots in Brooklyn and its enduring commitment to advancing health equity in underserved communities.
Downstate president Wayne J. Riley, M.D., MBA, MPH, MACP, addressed the graduates with a message that underscored both the gravity and the promise of this moment: “You are not just entering professions; you are answering a call to serve,” said Dr. Riley. “The communities you come from—and the communities you will care for—need your compassion, clarity, and courage now, more than ever.”
In a tribute to national leadership in health equity, Downstate also conferred an honorary Doctor of Science degree on Clive O. Callender, M.D., a pioneering transplant surgeon and founder of the National Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program (MOTTEP). Honored during the afternoon ceremony, Dr. Callender is a proud graduate of Meharry Medical College and a faculty member in Howard University’s School of Medicine, whose work has reshaped the public understanding of organ donation and significantly broadened access to life-saving transplants in communities of color nationwide. Dr. Callender is a native New Yorker of Barbadian descent focused on reaching as many communities as possible through the work of MOTTEP.
Dr. Callender’s legacy reflects the values that define Downstate’s mission and shape its graduates–a mission that remains committed to educating and training a diverse, community-centered healthcare workforce. As the only academic medical center in Brooklyn, Downstate integrates clinical excellence with community engagement, preparing its graduates to lead in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape while staying rooted in the needs of those they serve.
As the Class of 2025 graduates begin the next chapter of their professional lives, they do so as proud representatives of Downstate’s durable mission. With training rooted in academic excellence, community service, and a commitment to health equity, they are well-prepared to meet the evolving needs of today’s healthcare landscape. Whether remaining in Brooklyn or making an impact across the country or globally, they carry the values of Downstate and the promise of a healthier, more just future for all.
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About SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Downstate Health Sciences University (Downstate), located in Brooklyn, is one of four academic medical centers within the 64-campus State University of New York (SUNY) system. It is the only SUNY academic medical center in New York City; its mission is to educate health professionals, advance medical research, and provide patient care to Brooklyn’s 2.7 million residents.
University Hospital at Downstate (UHD), the flagship hospital of Downstate Health Sciences University, is a teaching hospital enriched by the expertise of its distinguished medical school and cutting-edge academic research facilities. Supported by a team of more than 800 physicians across 53 specialties and subspecialties, UHD provides community comprehensive, high-quality healthcare services. UHD specializes in high-risk neonatal and infant care, pediatric nephrology, and kidney disease dialysis, and operates Brooklyn’s only kidney transplant program.
Complementing its clinical strengths, Downstate is home to a comprehensive suite of academic institutions, including the College of Medicine, College of Nursing, School of Health Professions, School of Graduate Studies, and School of Public Health. Downstate also drives innovation through its robust biotechnology ecosystem, including the Biotechnology Incubator and BioBAT, supporting emerging and established biotech enterprises.
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