Shout Outs
By Office of the President | Oct 7, 2025
Three Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health Leaders Named to the Brooklyn Power List
From Left to Right: Faven Araya, DrPH(c), MPH, Mary Eustace Valmont, Ph.D., and Marilyn A. Fraser, M.D.
Congratulations to Marilyn A. Fraser, M.D., Chief Executive Officer, Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health; Faven Araya, DrPH(c), MPH, Director of Community Engagement and Health Equity Research; and Mary Eustace Valmont, Ph.D., Associate Executive Director for Health Science Education, on being named to the Brooklyn Power List, presented by Schneps Media.
The Brooklyn Power List celebrates the most influential individuals making a significant impact across the borough. Honorees are recognized for their leadership, commitment, and contributions to the community.
This recognition highlights the Institute鈥檚 ongoing mission to advance health equity and community empowerment throughout Brooklyn and beyond.
Spotlight on Faculty Leadership: Dr. Chella Kamarajan
Kudos to Chella Kamarajan, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, whose article, Shared Vision for Revitalizing 黄果视频, appears in the . In it, Dr. Kamarajan traces Downstate鈥檚 roots and focuses on last year鈥檚 campus
advocacy to retain inpatient care as a core part of our clinical mission.
In addition to representing Downstate on the University Faculty Senate, Dr. Kamarajan serves on the Centerwide and College of Medicine Executive Committees, chairs the Department of Psychiatry鈥檚 Research Committee, and is a member of the Henri Begleiter Neurodynamics Laboratory.
His scholarship and service demonstrate a deep commitment to Downstate and to shared faculty governance.
PANCE Pass-Rate Perfection for SOHP PA Students
We鈥檙e thrilled to celebrate our School of Health Professions (SOHP) Physician Assistant
students, who achieved a 100 percent first-attempt pass rate on the national certifying examination (PANCE) this cycle.
The Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), is the national licensing exam required for graduates of accredited programs to become certified Physician Assistants (PA-C).
This remarkable milestone reflects the students鈥� dedication and preparation鈥攁nd the outstanding teaching, mentoring, and academic guidance provided by our SOHP faculty and staff. Their success is a testament to the strength of our program and the collaborative spirit that defines the SOHP community.
Together, we continue to advance excellence in education, practice, and patient care.
Abena Amory Celebrates Caribbean Culture and Public Health Impact
A proud 2018 graduate of Downstate鈥檚 School of Public Health, Abena Amory embodies the spirit of leadership, advocacy, and healing that defines her alma mater.
This past June, she took center stage during the closing night of the St. Kitts Music Festival in Basseterre, St. Kitts鈥攃aptivating audiences with a performance that celebrated both heritage and heart. A native of Nevis and the daughter of the late Hon. Vance Amory, former Premier of Nevis, Abena carries forward a legacy of service and pride. Her music blends Nevisian and Vincentian rhythms with the unmistakable pulse of Brooklyn, creating a sound that bridges islands and generations.
Offstage, Ms. Amory continues her mission of care as a certified birth doula, advocating for maternal health, violence prevention, and health equity. Her work with Brooklyn Community Services and the Caribbean Women鈥檚 Health Association reflects the same commitment to community well-being that fuels a harmony of culture and compassion.