SUNY Downstate Launches Eric Davis Myers Lifespan Program
By Office of Communications & Marketing | Sep 23, 2026
New program designed to connect children and adults with neuro-disabilities to coordinated care and support throughout their lives
BROOKLYN, NY — SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University (Downstate) proudly announced the launch
of the Eric Davis Myers Lifespan Program today. Developed by the Division of Child
Development in Downstate’s Department of Pediatrics, the program is designed to improve
coordination of care for children and adults with neuro-disabilities, particularly
as patients move from pediatric to adult services.
The program was made possible through the generous support of Downstate alumna Lynne Davis Myers, M.D., and her husband, Donald Myers, Esq. Named in memory of their son, Eric Davis Myers, it reflects his legacy and his family’s commitment to improving care for people with neuro-disabilities.
Families often must coordinate care among multiple doctors, specialists, support programs, and community agencies. That work can become more difficult when a child reaches adulthood and moves from pediatric to adult care. The Eric Davis Myers Lifespan Program was established to bring together primary and specialty care, family support, and connections to community services. For children receiving care at Downstate, it provides a way for their care teams to plan earlier for that transition, communicate across specialties, and help families prepare for adulthood.
The program brought together professionals from Pediatric Ambulatory Care, Developmental Pediatrics, Neurology, the Gastrointestinal and Feeding Therapy Program, Nursing, Family Medicine, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Brooklyn Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities Program (Brooklyn LEND).
“Our pediatric teams care for children whose needs extend far beyond one appointment, diagnosis, or specialty,” said Christina Guillen, M.D., Interim Chair of the Department of Pediatrics. “This program will help us coordinate their care now while preparing for the changes that come as they grow. Families will have a team that knows their child’s history, understands their needs, and helps them plan for what comes next.”
“This program creates a structure for clinicians and other professionals to work together around the needs of each patient and family,” said Charles J. Brunicardi, M.D., FACS, Senior Vice President and Dean of the College of Medicine. “It also allows Downstate to prepare future healthcare professionals to provide coordinated care to people with neuro-disabilities throughout their lives.”
The launch addressed a broader challenge in healthcare: people with neuro-disabilities can lose access to coordinated services when they age out of pediatric care. By connecting pediatric and adult providers within an academic medical center, Downstate established a framework to help patients maintain access to appropriate care as their medical, developmental, behavioral, and social needs change.
“The transition from pediatric to adult care is not a single handoff. It takes planning, communication, and the involvement of patients, families, clinicians, and community partners,” said Harris Huberman, M.D., MPH, Director of the Division of Child Development. “This program allows us to begin that work early and remain connected as each patient’s needs change. Our goal is to create a clearer and more consistent path through care.”
“Eric’s life taught us how much families need knowledgeable professionals who communicate with one another and understand that care does not end when a child reaches adulthood,” said Dr. and Mr. Myers. “We hope this program will help families feel supported, understood, and better able to find the care and resources they need throughout their loved one’s life.”
The launch took place at the Alumni Auditorium in Downstate’s Health Sciences Education Building in Brooklyn. It included remarks from the Myers family and Downstate leadership, followed by a panel discussion with clinical, academic, family, and community partners.
About SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Downstate Health Sciences University is Brooklyn’s academic medical center and the only SUNY academic medical center in New York City. It serves as a critical hub for healthcare delivery, medical education, and research for Brooklyn’s 2.7 million residents.
University Hospital at Downstate (UHD) delivers high-acuity and community-based care across the borough, supported by more than 800 physicians across 53 specialties and subspecialties. UHD provides high-risk neonatal and infant care, pediatric nephrology, and dialysis services, and established Brooklyn’s first kidney transplantation program more than 50 years ago.
Downstate strengthens the healthcare workforce and advances community-based care through its academic programs and clinical training. Its biotechnology initiatives, including the Biotechnology Incubator and BioBAT, drive innovation and economic growth across Brooklyn and New York City.
Photo: Courtesy of the Davis Myers Family.