SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University has announced that Dr. Ernest J. Barthélemy, Chief of the Division of Neurosurgery, will assume the role of 2025 President-Elect for the American Society of Black Neurosurgeons (ASBN). His tenure is set to begin in November. In this capacity, Dr. Barthélemy will spearhead initiatives aimed at expanding the neurosurgical workforce pipeline, enhancing mentorship programs, and promoting leadership development within academic medicine.
“This role is a great honor and a responsibility,” said Dr. Barthélemy. “The future of neurosurgery must be more comprehensive, more responsive to the needs of all patients, and more intentional about how we prepare and support the next generation of Black neurosurgical leaders. I am proud to bring Brooklyn’s voice to this national mission.”
Dr. Barthélemy’s appointment marks an important moment in neurosurgery as recent ASBN data indicates that only 3.8 percent of practicing neurosurgeons in the U.S. identify as Black. Additionally, UCLA Health reported that in 2019 just five percent of residents in neurosurgical training were Black, with only 0.6 percent being Black women.
“Dr. Barthélemy’s appointment to this prestigious national leadership role reflects his extraordinary commitment to clinical excellence advancing fairness in healthcare, education, and global health innovation,” stated Wayne J. Riley, M.D., president of SUNY Downstate.
Besides his upcoming role with ASBN, Dr. Barthélemy leads the Division of Neurosurgery at Downstate and co-directs its Global Neuroscience Initiative. His clinical expertise includes acquired brain injury and central nervous system cancers among others.
Dr. Barthélemy’s background includes an MD from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai along with fellowships completed at the University of California, San Francisco. He holds additional degrees from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Teachers College at Columbia University.
In addition to his professional duties within academia and clinical practice, he holds significant roles globally such as chairing ASBN’s Global Neurosurgery Subcommittee and serving on committees for international neurological societies.
Founded in 2021, ASBN remains committed to advancing Black excellence within neurosurgery through recruitment efforts coupled with career advancement opportunities while advocating equitable care practices across communities nationwide.
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University stands as one outpost among four academic medical centers partaking under New York State’s SUNY umbrella—its location uniquely positioned inside New York City itself providing care accessibilities crucially needed throughout Brooklyn’s diverse population landscape which numbers approximately 2.7 million residents today alone via their teaching hospital facility known officially by name “University Hospital at Downstate.”
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