CELEBRATING NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK This week (April 7–13, 2025), communities across the country come together to observe National Public Health Week—a time to recognize the critical role of public health in shaping healthier futures for all. This week sheds a spotlight on different themes that reflects the evolving challenges and opportunities in public health such as climate action, health equity, advocacy, and strengthening the public health workforce. At Downstate’s School of Public Health, we are proud to be at the forefront of education, research, and advocacy—especially with our strong focus on urban and immigrant communities. Since its founding in 2001, the School has remained deeply committed to improving health equity in Brooklyn and beyond, harnessing the strength of our city’s rich diversity. As a nationally accredited institution by the Council on Education for Public Health, the School provides students with access to exceptional faculty, innovative learning opportunities, and a community-driven approach to public health solutions. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our faculty, students, researchers, and public health practitioners for their unwavering dedication to disease prevention, health promotion, and the well-being of our communities—locally and globally. #PublicHealthWeek (fb)

Happy Occupational Therapy Month to our incredible Downstate OT family! This April, we are proud to celebrate the brilliant, big-hearted Occupational Therapists (OTs) and Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) who help people do what they need and love to do—no matter the obstacles. OT is more than a career—it’s a calling to help others live fully. From getting dressed and making meals to returning to work or rediscovering hobbies, OTs empower people to reclaim independence and joy through a holistic, hands-on approach that treats the whole person—mind, body, and environment. In clinical settings, OTs are vital to recovery and long-term wellness. They help patients adapt after illness or injury, develop new strategies, and re-engage with daily life. Their impact on young children is incredibly profound—assisting kids to develop motor skills, communication, and social-emotional confidence so they can thrive at home, school, and play. OTs help lay the foundation for a lifetime of success, one small victory at a time. At Downstate, we’re especially proud of our Occupational Therapy Program—where dedicated educators are shaping tomorrow’s change-makers in healthcare. You’re not just teaching skills—you’re passing on a powerful tradition of care, creativity, and compassion. To all the clinicians, faculty, students, and alumni: Thank you for empowering lives, building resilience, and showing the world what it means to #KeepCareClose. #OTMonth (fb)