College of Medicine
Downstate’s Residents and Fellows Celebrate with Virtual Commencement

A few weeks ago, we said congratulations and good luck to more than 700 graduates
in our University-wide Commencement recognizing the achievements of our scholars from all
five schools and colleges here at Downstate. Just last week, we bade adieu to 300 more during last week’s Commencement for our Residents and Fellows.
Amid continued concern about the spread of COVID-19 and with the State of New York
still observing and enforcing social distancing guidelines, Downstate celebrated the
graduation of its 300 residents and fellows with a special virtual ceremony which premiered on YouTube on June 11th.
I could not be prouder of this cohort of exceptional residents and fellows who bravely
answered the call of duty without hesitation and carried the burden of what will likely
go down in history as the deadliest public health crisis we’ve ever witnessed. Their
presence on the frontlines of the pandemic not only demonstrated their commitment
to and understanding of our diverse community, it also made clear how well-prepared
our residents are to respond to their professional challenges.
The Class of 2020 Residents and Fellows included 300 physicians across 21 different
residency programs and 26 fellowship programs. Twenty members of the class will move
on to new residencies and fellowships at SUNY Downstate, while four will join SUNY
Downstate as full-time members of the SUNY Downstate faculty. The remaining graduates are on their way to joining health care facilities across the
country that are waiting for them to jump in and continue fighting on the frontlines
in a battle against the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
CONGRATULATIONS to our incomparable Residents and Fellows! Words alone cannot articulate
the deep gratitude our entire community has for your remarkable sacrifices, for the
lives you’ve saved, and for being consummate professionals.
Many thanks to Teresa Smith, M.D., M.Ed., Associate Dean of Medical Education and Affiliations and Associate Professor of Clinical
Emergency Medicine, and everyone involved in the coordination of this pivotal event.
Dean Brunicardi Tees Up New COM Vision with New Leadership—CONGRATULATIONS to Drs.
Markell, Smith, Douglas, and Lazar
Just before we began observing mandated stay-at-home orders, the Dean F. Charles Brunicardi, M.D., College of Medicine, made great strides in advancing
his strategic vision for the College that include new approaches to education, development of leading-edge research initiatives, and
new internal faculty grant programs—starting with four critical leadership appointments.

Dr. Mariana Markell, M.D., has been appointed Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education effective
February 1.
Dr. Markell joined SUNY Downstate in 1987 as Director of Inpatient Dialysis and then
served as the Medical Director of the Kidney Transplant Program until 2006. She served
as Director of Transplant Nephrology for nearly 15 years creating the first Transplant
Nephrology Fellowship Program in New York City that has trained some of the leading
transplant nephrologists in the country.
Dr. Markell now leads and manages the undergraduate medical education program in the
College of Medicine, helping to design new educational and wellness programs, as well
as strengthen the curriculum. In addition to new duties, Dr. Markell will continue
to serve as Professor of Medicine in the Division of Nephrology, where she attends
and teaches students, residents, and Fellows on the Transplant service.
READ DR. MARKELL’s FULL RELEASE!

Teresa Y. Smith, M.D., MSEd has been appointed Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education and Affiliations,
and Designated Institutional Official (DIO) effective February 1.
In her new role as the SUNY Downstate DIO, Dr. Smith will have authority and responsibility
for the oversight and administration of each of Downstate’s accredited GME programs
and for ensuring compliance with all institutional and program requirements, as established
by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
Dr. Smith is currently an Associate Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine at Downstate,
and for more than four years was the Residency Program Director of the Emergency Medicine
Residency Training Program, which is considered one of the largest and leading E.M.
training programs in the country. She is also a Clinical Advisory Dean in the College
of Medicine, assisting medical students in making career choices and advising them
through the residency application and selection processes.
READ DR. SMITH’s FULL RELEASE!

Montgomery Douglas, M.D., has been appointed Chairperson of the Family and Community Medicine Department,
effective March 1.
Recognizing the role and relationship of primary care and family medicine to community
health, Dr. Douglas will also serve as Population Health Strategy and Innovation Chief
for One Brooklyn Health System (OBHS), the $1.4 billion “Vital Brooklyn” initiative
launched by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in January 2018.
The Vital Brooklyn initiative will address chronic social, economic, and health disparities
in Central and northeastern Brooklyn. Downstate will partner with OBHS hospitals to
transform the healthcare delivery system by building programmatic bridges to support
the academic mission and vision of the University Hospital of Brooklyn.
READ DR. DOUGLASS’s FULL RELEASE!

Finally, Jason M. Lazar, M.D., MPH, has been appointed Vice Dean for Education and Chair of the newly created Department
of Medical Education effective March 1.
Dr. Lazar joined the Downstate’s Department of Medicine as the Director of Non-Invasive
Cardiology in 2003, where he serves as Professor and Clinical Assistant Dean in the
College of Medicine. Dr. Lazar also holds appointments in the Departments of Molecular
and Cell Biology and Neurology, as well as in the School of Public Health. He was
also appointed Vice Chair of Medicine for Education.
In his new role, Dr. Lazar will be responsible for oversight and support of the undergraduate
medical education, the expansion of the Center for Healthcare Simulation, and the
development of a broader array of programs to support faculty in their roles as educators.
READ DR. LAZAR’s FULL RELEASE!
CONGRATULATIONS to the COM for these new appointments.
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