SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University Executive and Leadership Team

Rita Battles, the Chief Executive Officer at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, directs the overarching strategic vision for this public medical institution. Battles manages the integration of academic research with clinical hospital operations to ensure high-quality patient outcomes. By aligning departmental goals with the broader mission of the State University of New York system, the Chief Executive Officer fosters an environment of excellence in medical training. This leadership role involves navigating complex regulatory landscapes while expanding the university's footprint in the Brooklyn healthcare market. Rita Battles maintains constant communication with the Board to secure long-term institutional stability. Through rigorous oversight of administrative and clinical divisions, the Chief Executive Officer optimizes resource allocation to support faculty and student success. Ultimately, Battles secures the future of this vital medical hub by championing innovation in healthcare delivery and academic rigor.

Ai Forsyth, the Chief Financial Officer at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, manages the fiscal health and budgetary planning for the institution. Forsyth oversees the allocation of state funding and private grants to support medical research and hospital infrastructure. By implementing robust financial controls, the Chief Financial Officer ensures transparency and compliance across all university departments. This role involves analyzing revenue streams from clinical services to sustain the operational needs of the medical school. Ai Forsyth collaborates with executive leadership to prioritize capital investments that enhance patient care facilities. Through meticulous monitoring of economic trends, the Chief Financial Officer mitigates financial risks while promoting sustainable growth. Forsyth drives fiscal efficiency by streamlining procurement processes and optimizing departmental spending. Ultimately, the Chief Financial Officer maintains the financial integrity required to support the university's mission of providing world-class medical education and healthcare services.

Richard Miller, the Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, manages the long-term financial planning and capital budgeting for the university's physical expansion projects. Miller oversees the financial modeling for new research facilities and hospital wings to ensure alignment with institutional growth targets. By analyzing market trends in healthcare, the Vice President & Chief Financial Officer identifies opportunities for revenue diversification through public-private partnerships. This role involves managing debt portfolios and ensuring that all financial activities adhere to state university system requirements. Richard Miller collaborates with the broader finance team to audit departmental expenditures and improve cost-recovery mechanisms. Through the development of strategic financial forecasts, the Vice President & Chief Financial Officer provides the necessary data to support major infrastructure investments. Miller drives financial sustainability by optimizing the university's asset management and ensuring that capital resources are directed toward high-impact medical initiatives.

Roger Gilbert, the Office of the President at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, manages high-level institutional relations and supports the strategic agenda of the university leadership. Gilbert facilitates engagement with government officials and community leaders to advocate for the university's role in public health. By coordinating special projects that span multiple departments, the Office of the President ensures that institutional initiatives receive the necessary cross-functional support. This role involves drafting policy briefs and preparing communications that articulate the university's mission to external stakeholders. Roger Gilbert monitors the progress of key university goals and provides the President with regular updates on institutional performance. Through the management of high-stakes partnerships, the Office of the President strengthens the university's reputation as a leader in medical education. Gilbert drives institutional alignment by ensuring that all administrative actions reflect the core values of the university. Ultimately, the Office of the President maintains the focus on long-term growth and community impact.

Schnell Lafortune, the Chief of Staff at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, coordinates executive operations and facilitates communication across the leadership team. Lafortune manages the flow of information between the President's office and various academic departments to ensure alignment with institutional goals. By streamlining internal processes, the Chief of Staff enhances the efficiency of decision-making cycles. This role involves organizing high-level meetings and tracking progress on key strategic initiatives that impact the university's clinical and educational outcomes. Schnell Lafortune acts as a primary liaison for external stakeholders, representing the university's interests in regional healthcare discussions. Through proactive problem-solving, the Chief of Staff resolves operational bottlenecks that hinder administrative progress. Lafortune supports the executive team by providing data-driven insights for policy development. Ultimately, the Chief of Staff ensures that the university's daily operations remain focused on the core mission of medical excellence.

Jamie Grecco, the Senior VP, Human Resources & Chief of Staff at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, directs talent acquisition and organizational development strategies. Grecco oversees the recruitment of top-tier medical faculty and administrative staff to maintain the university's competitive edge. By fostering a culture of professional growth, the Senior VP, Human Resources & Chief of Staff ensures that the workforce remains aligned with the evolving needs of the healthcare industry. This role involves managing complex labor relations and implementing policies that promote workplace equity and safety. Jamie Grecco collaborates with other executives to integrate human capital planning into the broader institutional strategy. Through the design of comprehensive training programs, the Senior VP, Human Resources & Chief of Staff enhances the operational capacity of the entire university. Grecco drives organizational change by modernizing HR systems to improve employee engagement and retention across all clinical and academic departments.

Dennis Sutterfield, the Vice President, Chief Information Officer at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, architects the digital infrastructure supporting medical research and patient data management. Sutterfield oversees the implementation of secure, scalable cloud solutions that facilitate seamless communication between hospital departments and academic units. By prioritizing cybersecurity, the Vice President, Chief Information Officer protects sensitive patient information while ensuring compliance with federal healthcare regulations. This role involves modernizing legacy systems to improve the efficiency of clinical workflows and administrative reporting. Dennis Sutterfield collaborates with faculty to integrate advanced technology into the medical curriculum, preparing students for a digital-first healthcare environment. Through the deployment of robust data analytics tools, the Vice President, Chief Information Officer provides leadership with actionable insights into institutional performance. Sutterfield drives technological innovation to ensure that the university remains at the forefront of digital health and medical education.

Michelle Daniels-DeVore, the Assistant Vice President & Deputy Chief Information Officer at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, manages the daily operational stability of the university's information technology systems. Daniels-DeVore focuses on the maintenance of network reliability and hardware support for clinical and academic staff. By supervising the IT help desk and technical support teams, the Assistant Vice President & Deputy Chief Information Officer ensures minimal downtime for critical hospital functions. This role involves executing disaster recovery plans and maintaining system backups to safeguard institutional data. Michelle Daniels-DeVore works closely with the CIO to implement software upgrades that enhance user experience across the campus. Through the management of vendor relationships, the Assistant Vice President & Deputy Chief Information Officer optimizes the cost-effectiveness of technology procurement. Daniels-DeVore supports the university's mission by ensuring that all digital tools remain functional and accessible for researchers, clinicians, and students.

Mohamed Nakeshbandi, the Chief Medical Officer at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, directs the clinical standards and patient care protocols across the university hospital system. Nakeshbandi oversees the performance of medical staff to ensure compliance with national healthcare quality benchmarks. By implementing evidence-based medicine practices, the Chief Medical Officer improves patient outcomes and reduces clinical variability. This role involves leading peer review committees and addressing complex medical ethics issues that arise in a teaching hospital environment. Mohamed Nakeshbandi collaborates with department chairs to integrate clinical training with patient care delivery. Through the monitoring of patient satisfaction metrics, the Chief Medical Officer identifies areas for service improvement and operational refinement. Nakeshbandi drives clinical excellence by fostering a culture of continuous learning and safety among all medical practitioners. Ultimately, the Chief Medical Officer ensures that the university provides high-quality, compassionate care to the diverse population of the surrounding region.

Heidi Aronin, the Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, directs the administrative functions that support the university's daily operations. Aronin oversees facilities management, campus security, and auxiliary services to ensure a safe and efficient environment for students and patients. By streamlining administrative workflows, the Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer reduces operational overhead and improves service delivery across the campus. This role involves managing large-scale contracts and overseeing the maintenance of physical infrastructure to meet the needs of a modern medical school. Heidi Aronin collaborates with other executives to ensure that administrative policies support the university's academic and clinical objectives. Through the implementation of process improvements, the Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer enhances the overall campus experience. Aronin drives operational excellence by maintaining high standards for facility performance and administrative support, ensuring that the university remains a premier destination for medical education.