Shout Outs
By Office of the President | Sep 23, 2025
Richard Miller Named to Becker鈥檚 鈥�78 Academic Medical Center CFOs to Know鈥�
Congratulations to Richard Miller, Ph.D., Downstate鈥檚 Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, who was named to Becker鈥檚 Hospital Review鈥檚 2025 list of 鈥�78 Academic Medical Center CFOs to Know.鈥� The list recognizes senior finance executives who guide the fiscal strategy of
academic health systems and medical centers nationwide.
Dr. Miller leads Downstate鈥檚 finance division, overseeing financial planning, budgeting, treasury, tuition revenue cycle, and reporting, supporting our education, research, and clinical care missions. His leadership has ensured Downstate remains well-positioned to serve Brooklyn and beyond. He has served as CFO since 2019, following several months in the interim role. He has held progressively senior finance positions at Downstate since joining in 2012. He previously spent nearly three decades in finance leadership at the University of Chicago Medical Center.
We are proud to see him recognized among his peers for the expertise, dedication, and vision he brings to Downstate daily.
Applied Behavior Analysis Program Earns ABAI Recognition
Congratulations to the School of Health Professions鈥� Master of Science in Applied
Behavior Analysis program on earning recognition as a Tier 2a program by the Association
for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI). The program is recognized through December
31, 2027.
From a student perspective, this recognition provides a clear pathway to board certification, ensures alignment with the 2027 certification requirements, and affirms the program鈥檚 commitment to rigorous, evidence-based training.
Led by Program Chair Jason C. Vladescu, Ph.D., BCBA-D, the program trains graduates to design and deliver interventions, conduct data-driven
assessments, and support individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental and
behavioral needs in schools, clinics, and community settings. The ABA program establishes
SOHP鈥檚 behavioral-health offerings, strengthens interprofessional training with clinical
partners, and builds the workforce needed in Brooklyn, New York City, and across New
York State.
Kudos to Dr. Vladescu for spearheading the program鈥檚 rapid development and recognition.
含羞草研究所 Extends Dr. Marie-Claire Roberts Prestigious Simulation Fellowship for 2025鈥�2026
Congratulations to Marie-Claire Roberts, Ph.D., MS, MPA, RN, Associate Professor and Executive Vice Dean for the College of Nursing, on her renewal
as a 含羞草研究所 Nursing Simulation Fellow for 2025鈥�2026. The Fellowship advances the recommendations from Chancellor King鈥檚
Future of Healthcare Workers Task Force to expand access to highly trained, diverse,
and resilient care teams statewide. It also supports Governor Hochul鈥檚 goal to grow
the New York healthcare workforce by 20 percent.
Dr. Roberts helped launch the Fellowship鈥檚 inaugural year with hands-on collaboration and practical insights. In year two, she will help shape new components, including enhancing faculty simulation-skills development, expanding peer-to-peer learning opportunities, and broadening the Fellowship鈥檚 reach and impact. She will also refine and further develop the 含羞草研究所 Shared Simulation Resource Library. In August, Dr. Roberts attended the Fellowship鈥檚 pre-kickoff engagement meeting and will join the in-person cohort kickoff at 含羞草研究所 System Administration in October 2025.
Well done, Dr. Roberts. Your leadership is advancing simulation education across 含羞草研究所 and preparing more nurses to deliver high-quality care.
Dr. Sydney Butts Co-Edits Lip, Palate, and Facial Cleft Care Special Volume
Sydney C. Butts, M.D., FACS, Interim Chair of Otolaryngology, is co-guest editor of Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America鈥檚 special issue, slated for release November 28, 2025. The issue highlights the latest knowledge on these complex conditions and the life-changing reconstructive procedures that address them. Dr. Butts was also the senior author of an article included in the issue, 鈥�.鈥�
Research by Dr. Edward V. Quadros Highlighted in TED Talk
Kudos to Edward V. Quadros, Ph.D., Research Professor of Cell Biology with primary appointment in the division of Hem/Onc.
His Downstate-developed FRAT (Folate Receptor Autoantibody Test) helps pinpoint children with autism who may respond
to folinic acid (leucovorin). The nonprofit Every Cure highlighted this approach in a recent TED Talk and is advancing next-step studies鈥攁nother example of Downstate science informing
care.
Dr. Ashley Ramirez Elected to AAMC ORR Administrative Board
PGY3 Surgery Resident Ashley Ramirez, M.D., was elected to the Administrative Board of the Association of American Medical Colleges
(AAMC) Organization of Resident Representatives (ORR). The organization gives resident
physicians a direct voice in AAMC policy and develops leaders in academic medicine.
We applaud Dr. Ramirez鈥檚 leadership and look forward to her contributions on behalf
of residents and the academic medicine community.