Menu

The President's Bulletin

picture

The President’s Bulletin is a bi-weekly publication created to keep students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, friends, and others informed about the latest news at Downstate Health Sciences University. We hope you enjoy reading the articles and find them informative and useful.

Featured Article

Dr Riley

A Message from President Riley

by Office of the President - June 3 , 2025

As we approach the summer months, I offer my deepest gratitude to each of you—our students, faculty, researchers, staff, and alums—for another year defined by determination, resilience, and a shared commitment to the health and future of our...

Read More

Brian McNeil

From Downstate to D.C.: Dr. Brian McNeil Named RWJF/NAM Health Policy Fellow

by Office of the President - June 3 , 2025

With great pride, we announce a prestigious national honor for Downstate’s Brian McNeil, M.D., MBA, FACS, Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs and Vice Chair of Urology. Dr. McNeil has been selected as one of only eight health professionals across...

Read More

Salifu Group Photo

Redefining AAPI Leadership in Medicine, Academia, and Health Equity

by Office of the President - June 3 , 2025

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities contribute are vital to the U.S. healthcare system—not only as clinicians, researchers, educators, and public health leaders, but also as caregivers, advocates, innovators, community organizers,...

Read More

Tags: Health Equity

Global Stage

From Central Brooklyn to the Global Stage: Equity in Neuroscience

by Office of the President - June 3 , 2025

Earlier this spring, Downstate convened global researchers, clinicians, and policy leaders for the Global Neuroscience Initiative Meeting under the theme, ‘Health Equity in the Precision Medicine Era of Global Neuroscience.’ This gathering reinforced...

Read More

Venus Williams and Dr. Viswanathan

Psychiatry Meets the Global Stage

by Office of the President - June 3 , 2025

The 2025 American Psychiatric Association (APA) Annual Meeting opened with two extraordinary conversations that set the tone for a transformative gathering.

Read More

Nicole Gladstein

Scalpel Meets Smartphone

by Office of the President - June 3 , 2025

We proudly announce that Nicole Gladstein, a third-year medical student at Downstate, has received the prestigious 2025 Carolyn L. Kuckein Student Research Fellowship from the Alpha Omega Alpha (AΩA) Honor Medical Society. This national award honors...

Read More

Thomas Wallach group photo

Fighting for Life in a System Built for Caution

by Office of the President - June 3 , 2025

A recent deep personal conversation at Downstate was sparked by loss, driven by science, and rooted in the urgent need to rethink how we regulate hope. The discussion centered on For Love and Life: No Ordinary Campaign. This documentary follows Brian...

Read More

COM SGS Ceremony

Celebrating History, Honor, and a Missing Hammer!

by Office of the President - June 3 , 2025

Over 100 students and faculty gathered the night before Commencement for the College of Medicine and School of Graduate Studies Awards Ceremony. Livestreamed for family, friends, and supporters, the event honored academic excellence, mentorship,...

Read More

Shout Outs

Shout Outs

by Office of the President - June 3 , 2025

Read More

In Case You Missed it

In Case You Missed It

by Office of the President - June 3 , 2025

Read More

Dr Riley

A Message from President Riley

by Office of the President - May 22 , 2025

This past Tuesday, I was honored to celebrate the 2025 Commencement Exercises of SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University (Downstate), joining with other leaders and more than 600 graduates from the College of Medicine, College of Nursing, School...

Read More

group photo

One Downstate; One Mission

by Office of the President - May 22 , 2025

The Coney Island Amphitheater was filled with joy, reflection, and deep pride as we celebrated over 600 graduates from our five schools and colleges. Two inspiring ceremonies—held at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.—did more than close one academic chapter....

Read More

Photo of PA student

PA Graduate Receives SUNY Mental Health Scholarship

by Office of the President - May 22 , 2025

Congratulations to Girgis Welsen, a 2025 graduate of the School of Health Professions Physician Assistant (PA) Program, and one of only 15 students statewide to receive the SUNY/OMH Mental Health Scholarship—a transformative initiative advancing...

Read More

Tags: Physician Assistant, School of Health Professions

image of IRB

Ethics in Gender-Inclusive Research Practices

by Office of the President - May 22 , 2025

Exclusion can begin with a single word—long before research even begins. At Downstate, a team of researchers recognized that the language used in consent forms and study materials can either invite trust or create distance. Their work is now sparking...

Read More

Tags: Research

poster session

Where Questions Become Impact

by Office of the President - May 22 , 2025

Read More

3 photos of yoga

The Science of Stillness to the Heart of Downstate

by Office of the President - May 22 , 2025

Read More

Shout Outs

Shout Outs

by Office of the President - May 22 , 2025

Read More

In Case You Missed it

In Case You Missed It

by Office of the President - May 22 , 2025

Read More

Dr Riley

A Message from President Riley

by Office of the President - May 6 , 2025

As the academic year ends, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the graduating Class of 2025. Your resilience, discipline, and hard work have brought you to this defining milestone of the walk across the stage and the beginning of your professional...

Read More

group photo

Transforming Occupational Therapy Training

by Office of the President - May 6 , 2025

At Downstate, the Occupational Therapy Program deepens its decade-long partnership with Adapt Community Network—formerly United Cerebral Palsy of New York—by giving students direct access to individuals living with disabilities. Through this...

Read More

Tags: Occupational Therapy Program

group photo

Say “Yes” to Organ Donation

by Office of the President - May 6 , 2025

In March, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a new law, supported by LiveOnNY, to expand public education about organ donation across New York State. According to the New York State Donor Registry, nearly 10,000 New Yorkers are waiting for a transplant....

Read More

Tags: Division of Transplantation, Kidney

photo of Ramaswamy Viswanathan

Conversations about Purpose, Empowerment, and Psychiatry

by Office of the President - May 6 , 2025

We are excited to share the news that Ramaswamy Viswanathan, M.D., Dr.Med.Sc., as President of the American Psychiatric Association, will take the national stage at the APA 2025 Annual Meeting for two extraordinary conversations about health, leadership,...

Read More

Tags: Psychiatry