May 2024 Announcements
By Office of Communications & Marketing | May 1, 2024
The Passing of Anthony Piscopo
We are saddened to announce the passing over the weekend of our beloved friend and
colleague, FM&D Facilities Program Coordinator Anthony J. Piscopo.
Anthony Piscopo served in the United States Navy Seabees as a journeyman carpenter. He was very proud of the military training he received, intensely appreciating America’s values of honor and discipline that were instilled in him.
After his cherished time in the military, transitioning back to civilian life as a carpenter was initially challenging. Wanting to pursue more, his family wholeheartedly encouraged him to make a change; he joined SUNY Downstate nearly 25 years ago, following a career of 20+ years as a union rep in the construction trades in New York City.
Anthony took great pride in his work and was very involved in most campus construction projects, making sure to connect with the internal clients regularly. He willingly engaged in all aspects of design and construction through regular face-to-face involvement. In the last ten years, he had a strong focus on the design and construction of hospital projects, including the Transplant Unit, new PICU, new MRI procedure room, and new Mammography Suite. Anthony was most proud of the camaraderie and the goals achieved together at SUNY with his beloved family of colleagues in FM&D and at the Construction Fund.
Generous of spirit, humor, and honesty, Anthony would never pass anyone in the halls without a smile, hug, or warm greeting. However, his greatest pride and joy were reserved for his wife, children, grandchildren, and his extended family.
His smile, warmth, sense of humor, and caring will be greatly missed.
Funeral Service Information
VISITATION
Thursday, May 2, 2024
Sisto Funeral Home, Inc.
3489 East Tremont Avenue
Bronx, NY 10465
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
SERVICE
Saint Benedict’s Church
2969 Otis Avenue
Bronx, NY 10465
11:30 AM
INTERMENT
Old Saint Raymond’s Cemetery
1201 Balcom Avenue
Bronx, NY 10462
12:30 PM
The Passing of Dr. Carl Cohen
We regret to inform you that our esteemed colleague, Dr. Carl Cohen, passed away on
April 27 from leukemia.
This is a shattering loss to many of us, to Downstate, and to the broader community. Dr. Cohen was a SUNY Distinguished Service Professor of Psychiatry at Downstate. He had founded our Geriatric Psychiatry Division and built it into a world-renowned center of excellence. Dr. Cohen was also the founding Director of the Brooklyn Alzheimer’s Disease Assistance Center and the Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship Program. He has been the recipient of over 50 research, training, and service grants. He has received numerous awards and honors including Educator of the Year (American Association of Geriatric Psychiatry), Psychiatrist of the Year (American Association of Community Psychiatry), the Exemplary Psychiatrist Award (NAMI), "Best Doctors in America," "Best Doctors in New York," "Who's Who in the World," and "Who's Who in America." He was also a recipient of a "Geriatric Mental Health Academic Award" from the National Institute of Mental Health.
He was a brilliant, compassionate person who mentored so many people into scholarly clinical careers while providing comprehensive, outstanding service to the needy. His service is known for providing state of the art service to the community, educating residents, fellows, medical students, and students from other disciplines, providing inter-professional geriatric education to community clinicians, doing clinical research, and obtaining grants to support many of its operations.
Dr. Cohen will be missed by all of us. The family will let us know if there is any funeral service that is open to people outside the family. If we learn of it, we will let you know. Our department will be organizing a memorial service at Downstate in a few weeks. We will let you know when it is arranged.
Carl's wife Katie wrote as follows:
For those interested in making donations in Carl's memory we have chosen the fund of the Oncologist who took such good care of him and continues to support us.
The Columbia Giving site is givenow.columbia.edu
And the fund is:
Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
Lamanna Research Fund
Nurse Recruitment has joined the Department of Human Resources
Nurse Recruitment has joined the Department of Human Resources as of April 22nd, 2024. We welcome them to the team!
Contract vending onboarding and voluntary appointments are moving under the HR Talent Acquisition Team. Please see the attached documents with details outlining the new process.
HR is actively working to improve our processes and we are currently working on updating all postings.
- We are updating all postings to include a good faith salary range. We are hopeful this will help attract candidates and create a better interview experience. HR will be pausing market analysis requests while the postings are being updated.
- Posts and hires have been eliminated to ensure a smooth process and create a better candidate experience.
- Updating posting packages; Be on the lookout for the updated forms coming soon!
Downstate launched our new Buddy Program in January with our reimagined New Employee Orientation. We have received great feedback from new hires and buddies alike. See the attached flyer for additional information and contact us if you’d like to participate.
We look forward to sharing more updates in the future. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Jamie J. Grecco
Vice President
Department of Human Resources
HR Unpaid Staff-Voluntary Appt Process
Submit Documentation for the Bivalent COVID Vaccine to EHS by 5/10/2024
This is a time sensitive hospital-wide campaign to obtain documentation of receipt or declination of the most recent Bivalent COVID Vaccine from October 2023 to present. Although COVID immunization is no longer mandatory, healthcare facilities are required to provide this information to regulatory health authorities such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
To submit proof of the vaccination or declination to Employee Health Service, simply attach the completed form (see attached fillable pdf) and e-mail it to: coronaEHS@downstate.edu.
The due date is on Friday, May 10, 2024.
Updated Signage for Lactation Rooms Across the Downstate Campus
Throughout the Downstate Campus, flag mounted signs have been installed at our existing lactation rooms, to make them easier to locate. These lactation rooms provide a clean, comfortable, safe, and private space to effectively express milk during the day or at night.
Below is a list of our three currently operating lactation rooms:
University Hospital at Downstate Room 3-469 – Entry to Maternity Unit
PHAB Room 5-004 – In Student Relaxation Area
HSEB Room 1-007 – Near Alumni Auditorium
Internal Controls: Tone at the Top
“Internal Controls” is a term that describes the steps taken by SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University (Downstate) to ensure that it operates competently and in accordance with relevant regulations and policy objectives.
Establishing a robust internal control system helps to reduce the possibility of risk and enables smooth and effective operations. Each person at Downstate plays a pivotal part in ensuring effective internal controls.
As a New York State agency, Downstate must comply with the requirements of the “New York State Governmental Accountability, Audit and Internal Control Act of 1987.” This legislation requires all State agencies to design a system of internal controls to ensure efficient and ethical operations.
To conform with this legislation, Downstate management must continuously evaluate internal controls within their respective units to ensure the effectiveness in achieving goals. This means that managers should determine what information is needed to ensure effective operations and that they receive and consistently review that data. Examples of internal controls include the development of specific policies and procedures that detail a unit’s processes, generating reports to identify outlier situations, or implementing system controls to prevent certain activities.
To ensure that Downstate remains a fulfilling organization to work and grow professionally, internal controls must be integrated into its operations on a regular basis.
I have confidence that everyone will continue to actively participate in and enhance this program.
“Internal Controls” is a term that describes the steps taken by SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University (Downstate) to ensure that it operates competently and in accordance with relevant regulations and policy objectives.
Establishing a robust internal control system helps to reduce the possibility of risk and enables smooth and effective operations. Each person at Downstate plays a pivotal part in ensuring effective internal controls.
As a New York State agency, Downstate must comply with the requirements of the “New York State Governmental Accountability, Audit and Internal Control Act of 1987.” This legislation requires all State agencies to design a system of internal controls to ensure efficient and ethical operations.
To conform with this legislation, Downstate management must continuously evaluate internal controls within their respective units to ensure the effectiveness in achieving goals. This means that managers should determine what information is needed to ensure effective operations and that they receive and consistently review that data. Examples of internal controls include the development of specific policies and procedures that detail a unit’s processes, generating reports to identify outlier situations, or implementing system controls to prevent certain activities.
To ensure that Downstate remains a fulfilling organization that works and grows professionally, internal controls must be integrated into its operations on a regular basis.
I have confidence that everyone will continue to participate actively in and enhance this program.
Register Today For An Upcoming AVERT Active Shooter Training
AVERT, short for Active Violence Emergency Response Training goes beyond active shooter training by teaching emergency bleeding control techniques, warning signs of a potential aggressor, quick response in a violent situation, escape, evade, or attack in critical seconds during an event, and staff confidence needed to respond. University Hospital at Downstate is now a training center with 14 certified instructors that includes staff from Emergency Management, University Police, the HAZMAT team, and the ED.
Please RSVP by using the link below to register for an upcoming Active Shooter Training:
- Event Address: University Hospital at Downstate
- Exact location will be emailed after registration is complete
- For more information, contact Jennifer Guzman at Jennifer.Guzman@downstate.edu
- Register for an upcoming event here: https://downstate.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3Da7gRVrzTWnjzU
SUNY Downstate’s Cardiovascular Health Related Research Summer Institute is open for Summer 2024 Applications
June 16 - June 28, 2024
COELIG'S Ethics Training Spotlight Newsletter
On behalf of the Department of Human Resources, we are resending this newsletter to remind you there are still dates available in April to take the Comprehensive Ethics Training Course (CETC). There are also new dates available in May and June. We encourage everyone to participate as soon as possible as All New York State officers and employees are required to attend. To register, click on “Find a Training” below.
THE ETHICS SPOTLIGHT
Shining a spotlight on the state's ethics rules
|
Sanford N. Berland |
February 2024 |
Frederick A. Davie |
||
|
Executive Director |
Edition 2 |
Chair |
Ethics Training is for Everyone
All New York State officers and employees are required to attend
ethics training every year.
The workforce-wide mandatory Comprehensive Ethics Training Course (CETC) is the only ethics course that satisfies the mandated live ethics training requirement.
Once the live CETC requirement is fulfilled, New York State officers and employees will then take on-demand refresher training the following year. Then, back to live CETC in year three and on-demand refresher year four, and so on.
The Training Team at the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (COELIG) offers live trainings via WebEx every month:
1. Open CETC sessions – these sessions are open to all officers and employees across New York State.
2. Agency Specific CETC Sessions – these sessions are reserved ONLY by agency Ethics Officers and/or Agency Trainers requesting COELIG Trainers deliver live training to a large population of their agency employees.
Post-Professional Doctorate Training Program
Student Center Promotion
Applied Behavior Analysis Program
Upcoming Events
Celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
Provident Clinical Society Meeting
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
In-person and virtual
Suture Clinic Opportunity
Join the US Army Medical Team at our exciting suture clinic presentation!
May 9, 2024
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Register for our 3rd Annual Conference on Plant-Based Health and Nutrition
Friday, May 10, 2024
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Alumni Auditorium
LEND Workshop
Leadership Education in Neurodevlopmental Disabilities
Beyond the Binary: A Panel Discussion on Neurodivergence and the Spectrum of Gender Identity
Friday, May 10, 2024
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Immigrant Resource Fair
Hosted by Senator Zellnor Y. Myrie’s Office in collaboration with SUNY Downstate Health
Sciences University
Saturday, May 18, 2024
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
(Rain or Shine)
LOCATION
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
450 Clarkson Ave. PHAB Hall
Brooklyn, NY 11203
CONTACT If you would like to table at this event:
Freda Zurita
fzurita.nysenate@gmail.com
(718) 284-4700
Languages
English
Spanish
Haitian-Creole and French
FREE fresh hot meals and produce for the community!
English
Spanish
Creole
Access to Transplantation Services in an Underserved Urban Setting: A Community Health Benefit
Thursday, May 23, 2024
8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Downstate Alumni Auditorium
4th Annual Brooklyn Stroke Symposium
Thursday, May 23, 2024
Registration is now open for the 4th Annual Brooklyn Stroke Symposium.
Don't miss this free, in-person and virtual symposium for physicians and other healthcare professionals featuring some of the country's top stroke experts. The event takes place on Thursday, May 23rd from 8:00am to 5:15pm.
SYMPOSIUM OBJECTIVES
- Provide an educational review of innovative research in stroke biomarker discoveries and neuroregeneration.
- Present updates on clinical paradigms in stroke diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, including in patients with atrial fibrillation.
- Offer insights on contemporary management of cerebral AVMs, mycotic aneurysms and infective endocarditis, as well as carotid access for stroke treatment and prevention.
- Learn about state-of-the-art stroke system care integration and the latest progress on stroke rehabilitation through neuromodulation.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
- Physicians, including neurologists, neurosurgeons, neurointerventionalists, radiologists, intensivists, hospitalists, cardiologists, vascular specialists, emergency and critical care specialists, as well as medicine, primary care, and other physicians
- Healthcare professionals, including first responders/EMTs, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, rehabilitation specialists, and others
- Interested members of the public
This activity has been approved for a maximum of 8.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s).™
School of Health Professions Dean's Lecture Series, 4th Edition 2023 - 2024 "Telehealth"
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
All lectures will take place via Zoom at 5:00 PM
Saving for College
Join us for an Information Session
Thursday, June 6, 2024
11:00 AM
The Annual Frank E. Lucente Alumni and Resident Research Day
Thursday, June 6, 2024
9:00am - 2:15pm
1st Floor PHAB Lecture Hall
450 Clarkson Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11203,
Keynote Speaker
Andrew Blitzer, MD, DDS
Professor Emeritus of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
Adjunct Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
Adjunct Professor of Neurology
Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai
Director, Hackensack Meridian/Rutgers Laryngology Fellowship Program
Co-Founder and Director of Research, ADN International
Alumni Speaker
Scott Harris, MD
Attending Physician Northwell Health Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck
Surgery
Northshore University Hospital
Assistant Professor Donald and Barbara Zucker
School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
About the conference
Diseases of the head and neck have major functional and quality of life impacts on our population.
Clinical and basic science research efforts by members of the Department of Otolaryngology at SUNY Downstate strive to generate answers to better diagnose and treat a range of these conditions. The Annual Frank E. Lucente Alumni and Resident Research Day is an occasion to learn about research at the forefront of otolaryngology and honors the founding chair of the department-Dr. Lucente-who continues to inspire the projects presented every year by resident researchers working under the guidance of faculty mentors.
This year, the Department of Otolaryngology is pleased to welcome two guest faculty lecturers who are national leaders in our field. The keynote speaker, Dr. Andrew Blitzer, Professor Emeritus of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeon, the
Director of the Hackensack Meridian/Rutgers’s Laryngology Fellowship Program and Co-Founder and Director of Research of ADN International. Dr. Blitzer has built a nationally recognized Laryngology fellowship program which has trained sub specialty fellows for more than 25 years. His keynote address will focus on Botulinum Neurotoxin Therapy for Head and Neck Disorders.
Dr. Scott Harris is a general otolaryngologist who graduated from the Downstate Otolaryngology residency in 2015. He is currently an attending physician at Northwell Health Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery and Assistant Professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker
School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. His clinical practice encompasses all aspects of general otolaryngology with a special focus on sialoendoscopy and treatment of benign salivary gland disorders.
This e-mail is sent on the behalf of The Department of Otolaryngology
For details please contact Nicole Fraser at 718-270-1638 or Nicole.Fraser@downstate.edu
Check back for regular updates to this page!
* New information highlighted in yellow *