SUNY Downstate

07/24/2025

This , we spotlight Dr. Amal Amar-Alattaby, a Palestinian American midwife, professor, and fierce advocate for culturally responsive care. Her faith, story, and leadership remind us why in every delivery room. 🧕🏽🩺

🎥 https://youtu.be/yXIv5sqUu0k

Islam is more than heritage for Amal Amar-Alattaby, DM, CNM, OBGYN NP; it is the foundation of her daily life, shaping everything from how she eats and dress...

07/21/2025

Major Congratulations to Dr. Suzanne Rappaport on her two HUGE wins:

1. Her research on cultural humility in occupational therapy education was accepted at the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) Congress, a prestigious global event held only once every four years.

2. Under her mentorship, her master’s students’ project on inclusive practices for transgender and gender nonconforming clients was also selected for presentation!

This is a proud moment for Dr. Rappaport and the SUNY Downstate OT Program.

We see you. We celebrate you. And we thank you for showing us how to lead with both rigor and heart.

07/11/2025

Please join us in congratulating W. Marcus Lambert, Ph.D., on his appointment to the Howard University College of Medicine Board of Visitors!

Dr. Lambert, Associate Vice President for Research Strategy and Operations and Associate Professor of Public Health at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, brings visionary leadership to national efforts focused on health equity, biomedical research, and inclusive talent development. At Downstate, he leads institutional research strategy, expands extramural funding, and champions initiatives that elevate historically excluded students in science and medicine.

His term on the Board begins in Fall 2025 and runs through June 30, 2028. During this time, he will advise Dean Andrea Hayes Dixon and university leadership on priorities ranging from faculty development and fundraising to career pathways and community-centered service.

Dr. Lambert’s appointment is significant as it marks a return to Howard University, his alma mater, where his journey in medicine and science first took root. This homecoming reflects his legacy and highlights the importance of sustained investment in institutions that shape and uplift Black excellence.

At a time when disparities in healthcare access and education are deepening, Dr. Lambert’s leadership ensures that young people of color don’t just access opportunity; they are empowered to lead, innovate, and transform the future of medicine.

Congratulations, Dr. Lambert, and thank you for continuing to inspire, build, and serve with excellence.

07/09/2025

We are conducting a community health needs assessment (CHNA) to better serve our community. This survey will help us understand what you think are the most important health issues and what matters to us most.
What Is the Survey About?
Hospitals conduct a CHNA to receive input from the community to improve health outcomes for all. Brooklyn Community members, 18 and up, are invited to participate in this anonymous, 10-minute survey.
• What: Community Health Survey
• When: May 30 to July 31
• Who: Brooklyn Residents ages 18 and up
• How: Click this link: www.gnyhasurveys.org/CHNA
Please encourage everyone who lives in Brooklyn to take the survey. All survey responses are anonymous and cannot be traced back to anyone.
This survey is available in multiple languages.
Thank you for taking the time to make your voice heard and helping us create a better Downstate for our community.
Click this link: www.gnyhasurveys.org/CHNA
You must be a resident of Brooklyn to take this survey.
After you take the survey, please share the link and the flyer attached with our patients to help us achieve a healthier future for our community. Thank you.

We want to improve the health services we offer to people who live in your neighborhood. The information you give us will be used to improve health services for people like yourself.Completing the survey is voluntary. We will keep your answers private. If you are not comfortable answering a question...

07/07/2025

🌟 We’re officially reaccredited through 2033!

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education has reaffirmed SUNY Downstate’s accreditation with zero citations or follow-up.
We began this journey in 2022 with our Self-Study—and by 2025, more than 90 members of the Downstate family contributed to our success.

This achievement preserves our access to federal research funding and student financial aid, and reflects the strength and integrity of our campus.

🎉 Join us in congratulating our entire community—students, staff, faculty, alumni, and partners—for a job well done!

07/03/2025

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Christina Guillén, M.D., FAAP, as Interim Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at SUNY Downstate, effective July 1, 2025!

A proud alumna and nationally recognized leader, Dr. Guillén brings academic excellence, visionary leadership, and a deep commitment to health equity. Her work—from DEI leadership to community advocacy—embodies Downstate’s mission and promise.

Congratulations, Dr. Guillén—your leadership is a shining example of how we .

07/03/2025

CELEBRATING INDEPENDENCE DAY

Independence Day commemorates the ratification of the Declaration of Independence—a crucial point in the process of America gaining freedom from the British Empire.

This was such an important milestone in America’s journey to freedom that the very next year, 1777, the very first Fourth of July celebrations were held. This was right in the middle of the Revolutionary War, and the first people to celebrate did not yet know if they would win or lose. Yet the simple act of trying to gain freedom was enough to be celebrated.

When you go out this weekend to a barbecue, party, or fireworks display, please celebrate responsibly. We thank you for your efforts to for each individual in our community.

Please enjoy yourself this Fourth of July, and as always, stay safe!

07/02/2025

A Historic Moment for SUNY Downstate

In a transformative commitment to the future of Brooklyn’s healthcare, Governor Kathy Hochul visited SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University to announce a groundbreaking $1.1 billion investment, securing the future of University Hospital at Downstate and setting a bold new course for care in Central Brooklyn.
This unprecedented funding reverses decades of disinvestment and ensures Downstate remains a vital safety net, delivering high-quality, community-rooted care to those who need it most.

Pictured: SUNY Downstate President Dr. Wayne J. Riley, Governor Kathy Hochul, and University Hospital Interim CEO Dr. Patricia A. Winston toured the hospital and spoke about what this investment means for patients, providers, and the broader community.
Under Dr. Riley’s leadership, Downstate is being reimagined as a model for 21st-century academic medicine and health equity.

(Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Office of the Governor)

07/02/2025

Beyond the Binary: Advancing LGBTQIA+ Health Equity at SUNY Downstate

As part of our 2025 Pride Month observance, SUNY Downstate proudly hosted Beyond the Binary, a dynamic panel exploring the intersection of LGBTQIA+ health, education, law, and advocacy.
Moderated by Dr. Efekona Nuwere, the conversation featured powerful insights from clinicians, educators, researchers, and civil rights leader Alphonso David, Esq., who reminded us that protecting access to care requires both institutional commitment and national advocacy.

More than a symbolic event, the forum reaffirmed Downstate’s mission to affirm dignity, expand inclusive training, and protect health equity—especially in today’s shifting political climate.

This is what our values look like in action.

🎥 Watch the full panel discussion here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJ-cB0VpCsQ

Beyond The Binary ProtectingLGBTQ+ Health, Rights & Representation in a Shifting Political LandscapeAs part of SUNY Downstate’s Pride Month observance, Beyon...

06/25/2025

Downstate recently hosted a vibrant Caribbean Heritage Month celebration where culture, identity, and community action came together with pride and purpose.

VP of Communications & Marketing Dawn Walker welcomed Gregg Bishop—Executive Director of the Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation Social Justice Fund—for an unscripted and powerful dialogue on everything from cultural mistrust in healthcare and mentorship, to public service, equity, and which island makes the best cocoa tea.

With every domino slam and flag wave, we celebrated more than tradition—we honored legacy and community.

Watch the full conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAx63Zn6A7E

Downstate recently hosted a powerful Caribbean Heritage Month celebration where culture met community action. In a heartfelt and unscripted conversation, Guy...

06/24/2025

Join us at SUNY Downstate for a special Pride Month Panel Discussion:
🎙️ Beyond the Binary: Protecting LGBTQ+ Health, Rights & Representation in a Shifting Political Landscape
🗓️ Thursday, June 26 | ⏰ 11:30AM–1:00PM

This thought-provoking discussion will address:
• Political threats to gender-affirming care and civil rights
• How medical institutions can lead in inclusive, equitable care
• Strategies to protect LGBTQIA+ health and dignity
🌟 Featured Panelist: Alphonso David, Esq., President of Global Black Economic Forum
💡 Panelists: SUNY Downstate faculty leaders from medicine, endocrinology, OT, and cell biology
📺 Livestream: https://tinyurl.com/36xums8j
🔗 Participant bios: https://tinyurl.com/5h2562mx

06/23/2025

HONORING CARIBBEAN HERITAGE MONTH
Marvin Esprit, From Dominica to Downstate 🇩🇲

From the emerald rivers of Dominica to the vibrant halls of Downstate, Marvin Esprit’s journey is one of resilience, growth, and pride.

Arriving in the U.S. at age 11 for what he thought was a summer visit, Marvin never looked back. Today, he’s a Paint Shop Supervisor at Downstate—leading with heart, humility, and a deep connection to his roots.

Starting as a cleaner, he climbed every rung with grit and grace. “Being a father taught me responsibility,” he says—and that same love guides his leadership.

Every room tells a story—his team’s brushstrokes make it unforgettable.

See Marvin's story here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBgVt3Vvnkg

Marvin Esprit, the Caribbean is an extension of Africa, rich in spirit, deeply rooted in heritage, and bursting with natural beauty. Born in the Commonwealth...