SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University Appoints David H. Berger, M.D. as Chief Executive Officer of the University Hospital at Downstate
By Office of Communications & Marketing | Aug 18, 2020
MEDIA CONTACT: Dawn Skeete-Walker | dawn.walker@downstate.edu | (347) 533-2071
Downstate College of Medicine Alumnus and Surgeon brings over two decades of expertise in healthcare services management
BROOKLYN, NY—State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University president Wayne J. Riley, M.D., MPH, MBA, MACP, announced the appointment of David H. Berger, M.D., MHCM, FACS, as Chief Executive Officer of the University Hospital of Brooklyn (UHB). With more
than 25 years of healthcare leadership experience at several academic institutions,
Dr. Berger will lead UHB’s inpatient and outpatient services and new patient services
initiatives He will also provide operational and fiscal oversight for UHB and oversee the development and implementation
of hospital-wide policies and procedures that promote quality patient care and patient
satisfaction.
Dr. Berger currently serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of
UF Central Florida Health where he manages the development of high-quality, cost-effective,
and clinically integrated patient care services. He has held several key roles including
Vice-Chair of Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine,
Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and Vice President and Chief Clinical
Officer at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, and Vice President and Chief Medical
Officer of Baylor College of Medicine Medical Center.
“We are excited to welcome Dr. Berger back to SUNY, Downstate, and University Hospital
at Brooklyn. Having completed his medical and residency training here, his familiarity
with the institution will be an incredible asset and we are confident in his ability
to build on the remarkable accomplishments of our institution,” said SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University president Wayne J. Riley, M.D. “As our nation continues to grapple with the challenges created by the COVID-19
pandemic, Dr. Berger’s expertise will help us address the needs of our patients, staff,
and the community while giving the strategic guidance we need to operate a sustainable
healthcare institution.”
“It is an honor to return to Downstate, a unique institution with strong community
ties that has been critical to my career development,” said incoming UHB CEO Dr. Berger. “I look forward to collaborating with the faculty, staff, and partners in our mission
to enhance the quality of patient care in the communities we serve.”
Dr. Berger was born in Brooklyn and holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from
Harpur College at SUNY Binghamton, and a Master of Science in Healthcare Management
from the Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health. He returns to Downstate
where he earned his medical degree and completed a general surgery residency at Downstate
Health Sciences University. Dr. Berger also completed a fellowship in surgical oncology
at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.
###
About SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University is the borough’s only academic medical center for health education, research, and patient care, and is a 342-bed facility serving the healthcare needs of New York City, and Brooklyn’s 2.6 million residents. University Hospital of Brooklyn (UHB) is Downstate’s teaching hospital, backed by the expertise of an outstanding medical school and the research facilities of a world-class academic center. More than 800 physicians, representing 53 specialties and subspecialties—many of them ranked as tops in their fields—comprise Downstate's staff.
A regional center for cardiac care, neonatal and high-risk infant services, pediatric dialysis, and transplantation, Downstate also houses a major learning center for children with physical ailments or neurological disorders. In addition to UHB, Downstate comprises a College of Medicine, College of Nursing, School of Health Professions, a School of Graduate Studies, a School of Public Health, and a multifaceted biotechnology initiative, including the Downstate Biotechnology Incubator and BioBAT for early-stage and more mature companies, respectively. For more information, visit www.downstate.edu or follow us on Twitter at @sunydownstate.