SUNY Downstate

04/06/2026

This week (April 6–12, 2026), communities across the country come together to observe National Public Health Week—a time to recognize the critical role of public health in shaping healthier futures for all.

From climate action and health equity to advocacy and strengthening the public health workforce, this week highlights the evolving challenges and opportunities in the field.

At Downstate’s School of Public Health, we are proud to lead in education, research, and advocacy—especially in support of urban and immigrant communities. Since 2001, we have remained committed to advancing health equity in Brooklyn and beyond.

As a nationally accredited institution, we provide students with access to exceptional faculty, innovative learning experiences, and a community-driven approach to public health solutions.

We thank our faculty, students, researchers, and practitioners for their dedication to healthier communities—locally and globally.

Happy National Public Health Week!

04/01/2026

We welcomed Dave A. Chokshi, MD, MSc, former New York City Health Commissioner, and Mandy Cohen, MD, MPH, former Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for the Joel S. Levine, MD Memorial Lectureship. (View the conversation here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uu1_zXPoBY&t=73s

Dr. Mandy Cohen—Dr. Levine’s niece—set the tone with Stephen Colbert–style questions that revealed the person behind the title, offering a candid and human glimpse into Dr. Chokshi before turning to the weight of leadership.

The conversation moved seamlessly between the personal and the profound. We heard about Dr. Chokshi’s Louisiana roots and his appreciation for a vegetarian Po’ Boy. He also shared a deeply personal reflection: the scent of his daughters’ baby breath as a reminder of what matters most.

Then came the reality of leadership.

Dr. Chokshi described walking to Elmhurst Hospital during the early days of COVID—seeing freezer trucks used as makeshift morgues, emergency departments beyond capacity, and residents facing unimaginable loss. Those experiences remain with him.

But he also reminded us of what was possible—clinicians transforming care environments within hours, teams mobilizing across systems, and a vaccination campaign that reached millions of New Yorkers.

His reflections on leadership were clear:
Move from having answers to asking better questions.
Move from focusing on tasks to investing in people.
Move from clever communication to steady, persistent communication.

And his advice to the next generation:
Spend as much time nourishing your convictions as you do building your credentials.

Dr. Levine’s legacy lives in that charge—and in the responsibility we carry forward as leaders in healthcare.

03/31/2026

On National Doctors’ Day, we recognize physicians whose impact extends far beyond the bedside.

Dr. Pascal James Imperato’s career reflects that impact in every sense.

As a commissioned officer in the U.S. Public Health Service, he spent more than six years in West Africa, helping lead vaccination efforts that eliminated smallpox in Mali using a targeted, community-based approach.

He later brought that experience to Downstate, where he served as Founding Dean and Dean Emeritus of the School of Public Health and now serves as Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer.

His message is simple: never forget why you are a physician.

Today, we honor Dr. Imperato and all Downstate physicians whose leadership and compassion strengthen our communities.

Watch his story:
https://lnkd.in/ebJ7u4Yu

03/20/2026

Match Day 2026 at SUNY Downstate!

187 of our medical students have matched into residency programs—marking the next step in their journey to becoming physicians.

- 76% will remain in New York State
- More than half will train in NYC, many in Brooklyn
- 35 will continue their training at Downstate

Our graduates are helping strengthen the healthcare workforce and expand access to care where it’s needed most.



Visit our Match Day Page Here:

SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University is one of the nation's leading urban medical centers, serving the people of Brooklyn since 1860.

03/19/2026

Tomorrow is one of the most meaningful milestones in medical education—Match Day.

After years of dedication, resilience, and purpose, our students at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University will take the next step in their journeys as physicians, discovering where they will continue their training and serve communities across the country.

We could not be more proud of this accomplished, compassionate, and inspiring class.

Join us as we celebrate this moment together—live—beginning at 11:30 AM:
🔗

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

03/19/2026

Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of Breaking the Fast, marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan—a sacred time of reflection, prayer, fasting, and spiritual growth. It is a joyous occasion that brings together family, friends, and communities in gratitude and celebration.

As Ramadan concludes, Eid offers opportunities to reflect on the values of compassion, generosity, and service to others—principles that resonate deeply within the Downstate community and our shared commitment to care and respect for all.

On this special day, we extend our warmest wishes to our Muslim students, colleagues, patients, and community members at Downstate and around the world. May Eid bring you peace, happiness, and abundant blessings. May it be a time of renewal, generosity, and shared joy.

03/18/2026

Join Us for our Women's History Month Event:

Leading on the Front Lines: Crisis Leadership in Emergency Response and Healthcare on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 from 1:00PM – 3:00PM

Click this link on the date and time of the event (Scan QR code below for participant bios): https://www.youtube.com/live/0C8KDScuuTY

03/18/2026

The March 17, 2026 Edition of the President's Bulletin, is now LIVE! Don't forget to check out the latest in , , and Downstate news! CLICK LINK BELOW to READ MORE!

03/17/2026

This Social Work Month, we celebrate the incredible social workers at Downstate Health Sciences University.

From providing emotional support to connecting patients and families with critical resources, our social workers are essential to delivering compassionate, person-centered care at University Hospital at Downstate.

We are especially proud to feature Kenneth Scott, LMSW, who shares how his work makes a difference in patients’ lives every day.

Thank you to all our social workers for your dedication, empathy, and impact!



Click below:

Black male social workers remain underrepresented in healthcare, yet their presence can make a powerful difference for patients facing some of life’s most di...

03/16/2026

SUNY Downstate’s University Hospital Emergency Preparedness Department is hosting the 2nd Annual Youth-Led Emergency Preparedness Day on April 8, 2026 at the Alumni Auditorium.

Middle and high school students will participate in hands-on training that teaches lifesaving skills such as recognizing life-threatening bleeding, applying pressure, using tourniquets, and practicing situational awareness through Active Violence Immediate Response Training (AVIRT).

In partnership with the New York National Guard Citizens Preparedness Corps, students will also learn how to:
• Develop a family emergency plan
• Prepare for different types of emergencies
• Build a personal emergency go-bag

This free program empowers youth to become leaders in preparedness in their families, schools, and communities.

✔ Free training
✔ Food and refreshments provided
✔ Parent/guardian consent required

We encourage the Downstate community to share this opportunity with family and friends—a great way for students to spend part of their spring break learning critical lifesaving skills.

Students can register by scanning the QR code on the flyer or using the registration link.



Register here: https://qualtrics.downstate.edu/jfe/form/SV_aW8Dg4b1oD6ixYq?Q_CHL=qr

03/06/2026

SUNY Downstate proudly celebrates Angeliki Papavlassopulos, M.D., MBA, FACOG, Residency Program Director for Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Her story reflects the power of women, community, and full-circle journeys.

Dr. Papavlassopulos was born at SUNY Downstate and returned years later as a physician. Today, she delivers babies in the same hospital where her own life began.

With infectious enthusiasm and deep commitment to women’s health, she supports patients during some of the most meaningful moments of their lives.

The daughter of a Greek father and a Costa Rican American mother, Dr. Papavlassopulos carries a proud international heritage that helps her connect with the diverse families she serves every day.
She especially values the vibrant Caribbean community that is such an important part of the Downstate and Central Brooklyn experience.

This Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, SUNY Downstate celebrates Dr. Papavlassopulos and the women in medicine who care for our communities, inspire the next generation, and help families thrive.

On March 8, we celebrate International Women’s Day—honoring the achievements of women around the world and reaffirming our shared commitment to gender equity...

03/04/2026

March is Women’s History Month. Next year marks 30 years since the month was nationally designated to recognize women’s contributions across society.

What began as Women’s History Week in 1981 expanded in 1987 into a month-long observance honoring women’s leadership, scholarship, service, and advocacy—an enduring part of the American story.

This month also connects to a broader movement of progress. National Girls and Women in Sports Day highlights the importance of expanding opportunity and cultivating leadership across every field, including healthcare and science. International Women’s Day on March 8 brings global recognition to women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements.

As we approach this milestone, Downstate celebrates achievement, recognizes progress, and reaffirms our commitment to expanding opportunity in healthcare, science, and education.

Here’s to a meaningful Women’s History Month as we continue building a stronger and more inclusive future.