Maimonides Health has received a grant from the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) to support a leadership training program focused on health equity. The initiative will involve clinicians and community members from several Brooklyn safety-net hospitals, aiming to address health disparities and improve outcomes in local communities.
The program, which began within a single Central Brooklyn health system, is now expanding to include Maimonides Health, One Brooklyn Health, NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County, and SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. This expansion is intended to strengthen the long-term sustainability of the project and broaden its impact at a time when underserved communities face significant challenges.
Dr. Sophia Kostelanetz, Associate Medical Director of Maimonides’ Department of Medicine, will lead the year-long interdisciplinary training across participating institutions. The selection process for the 60 fellows emphasizes commitment to health equity, leadership skills, and community partnership.
“We’re proud to embark on another phase of this program in the effort to build health equity across communities in Brooklyn, particularly those underserved by our health care system,” said Dr. Kostelanetz. “The curriculum integrates nationally recognized frameworks in narrative leadership, community organizing, calling-in practice, and restorative justice, and we have co-designed the training program in partnership with other Brooklyn community organizations and activists including People Power Health, East Brooklyn Call to Action, Brooklyn Community Collaborative, and Loretta Ross.”
Matthew A. Weissman, Chair of Medicine at Maimonides Health, commented on the importance of the initiative: “High-quality, community-engaged internal medicine is a critical investment for the future of public health in our Brooklyn community. We are grateful to the American Board of Internal Medicine for their support and alignment in our mission of training future medical leaders, driving better health outcomes for underserved communities, and ensuring that all Brooklynites have access to equitable primary and preventive care.”
Furman S. McDonald, President and CEO of ABIM and the ABIM Foundation added: “It is important to better understand how trust is built when clinicians are equipped to listen, communicate, and respond to patients in the context of their communities, needs, and priorities. These projects hypothesize that innovative, practical approaches to training the next generation of internal medicine physicians will lead to more equitable, patient-centered care and hopefully mitigate health disparities.”