Sean Smith, CPA, FHFMA Chief Financial Officer | Suny Downstate Medical Center
Sean Smith, CPA, FHFMA Chief Financial Officer | Suny Downstate Medical Center
Dr. Teresa Y. Smith-Bellille and Dr. Jeffrey M. Birnbaum are set to be recognized as Healthcare Heroes at the upcoming Schneps Media event. This annual celebration honors individuals who have significantly contributed to the health and well-being of New Yorkers.
Dr. Smith-Bellille, with a 20-year tenure in Brooklyn, serves as the Associate Dean of Graduate Medical Education and Interim Chair of Emergency Medicine at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. As a leader in academic emergency medicine and diversity advocacy, she has played a pivotal role in reshaping medical training to be more inclusive. She has also been recognized by the National Minority Quality Forum and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.
Dr. Smith-Bellille expressed gratitude for the recognition: “To be honored for doing the work I feel called to do is humbling and motivating. As a Black woman in medicine, I know firsthand how representation matters in who we care for and who delivers the care.”
Dr. Birnbaum, a lifelong Brooklyn resident, serves as Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Public Health and Executive Director of the HEAT Program at Downstate. For over three decades, he has led the HEAT Program, providing integrated services to HIV-positive and at-risk youth. As an advocate for gender-affirming care, his efforts extend beyond Brooklyn through collaborations with global organizations like the World Health Organization and UNICEF.
Dr. Birnbaum remarks, “I’ve always believed that healthcare should meet people where they are—without judgment, without barriers, and with open arms. The HEAT Program is more than a clinic—it’s a safe space, a home, and a future.”
Wayne J. Riley, M.D., President of SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, hailed both physicians: “Their work reflects the very best of Downstate—leading with purpose, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to equity.” F. Charles Brunicardi, M.D., FACS, Dean of the College of Medicine, emphasized their dedication: “Their leadership strengthens how we deliver care in the communities we serve.”
The recognition of Drs. Smith-Bellille and Birnbaum underscores the value of compassionate, community-oriented healthcare at Downstate. Patricia A. Winston, DNP, MS, RN, NEA-BC, Interim CEO of University Hospital at Downstate, remarked on their impact, saying, “Their impact helps build trust and foster lasting connections between the hospital and the communities we serve.”
The Healthcare Heroes Awards celebration will be held on April 30, 2025, at Terrace on the Park in Queens.
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, one of four academic medical centers within the State University of New York system, focuses on health education, research, and patient care for Brooklyn's 2.7 million residents. It offers comprehensive healthcare services through a diverse range of specialties. The university is also deeply involved in biotechnology initiatives through the Biotechnology Incubator and BioBAT.
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