New Leadership at the American Society of Black Neurosurgeons
By Office of the President | Dec 2, 2025
Congratulations to Ernest J. Barth茅lemy, M.D., MPH, MA, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Neurology, and Public Health at Downstate, and Director
of Acute Care Neurosurgery at One Brooklyn Health/Brookdale University Hospital. Dr.
Barth茅lemy was formally installed last month as President of the American Society
of Black Neurosurgeons (ASBN), marking a significant milestone for him and a great
moment of pride for Downstate.
Dr. Barth茅lemy鈥檚 appointment brings well-deserved visibility to Downstate鈥檚 Global Neurosurgery Research Program and to the broader clinical neuroscience work taking place in Brooklyn. As President, he will lead efforts to build a stronger and more diverse neurosurgical workforce, supporting young neurosurgeons as they enter the field.
Patients in underserved communities face some of the nation鈥檚 highest barriers to neurosurgical care. found that fewer than five percent of practicing neurosurgeons in the United States identify as Black/African American, and many neighborhoods lack timely access to specialized brain and spine services. Immigrant communities experience these disparities even more acutely, often confronting language barriers, limited insurance coverage, and fewer local specialty resources, factors that can delay diagnosis, treatment, and recovery for complex neurologic conditions.
Dr. Barth茅lemy鈥檚 journey reflects the values at the heart of Downstate. A Brooklyn native and first-generation Haitian American, he completed his undergraduate degree at NYU, earned graduate degrees from Harvard and Columbia Universities, trained in medicine and neurosurgery at Mount Sinai, and completed fellowships at Harvard and the University of California, San Francisco. His career is defined by clinical excellence, a deep commitment to global health equity, and a dedication to preparing the next generation of surgeons and neuroscientists.
He is President and Co-Founder of the Society of Haitian Neuroscientists, leads the Research and Decolonization groups of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies鈥� Global Neurosurgery Committee, and serves on several national and international boards. Task forces focused on neurosurgical education, global health, and injury prevention.
At Downstate, Dr. Barth茅lemy teaches and mentors medical students and residents in neurology, surgery, and global health; directs our Global Neurosurgery Laboratory; and serves as Co-Director of the Downstate Global Neuroscience Initiative鈥攚ork that strengthens the care we provide to the communities that rely on us most.
We are grateful for Dr. Barth茅lemy鈥檚 leadership, his dedication to our learners, and the excellence he brings to our community every day. His achievements continue to inspire all of us at Downstate and strengthen our commitment to #KeepCareClose for the communities we serve.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Barth茅lemy on this well-earned honor.
Tags: Neurology, Neurosurgery, Surgery