The threatened closure of Downstate University Hospital by the State University of New York (SUNY) and Governor Kathy Hochul has sparked anger and indignation among Brooklyn residents and the Medical Staff who treat them.

Three of those Staff Members passionately defended the hospital during a virtual panel discussion led by United University Professions (UUP) President Fred Kowal.

More than 100 people attended the meeting, during which Kowal discussed the likely effects of the closure on the community that Downstate serves.

UUP hosted the discussion, the first of three virtual discussions to be held in March about the dramatic impact the closure of Downstate’s would have on health care services in Brooklyn - Especially For Low-Income People of color.

Additional panels will be held at noon on Tuesday (March 19th) and at 5 p.m. on Wednesday (March 20th).

“We want to talk about a plan that would have drastic, perhaps tragic effects on health care in Central Brooklyn, while also devastating the education of the next generation of Medical Professionals,” Kowal said. “We are part of the Central Brooklyn Community, the heartbeat of that community.”

Nelcia Trim, a Nurse Manager of Downstate’s Medical Intensive Care Unit who has worked at the hospital for 39 years, said she has seen countless patients pass through the hospital and noted that many will recognize her and thank her even after their time at the hospital has ended: “What’s going to happen to our people in this community? We put out so many good Doctors here.  We are Brooklyn.”

Kowal and the other panelists pointed out New York’s obligation to fund Downstate, a State Hospital, and noted the absurdity of SUNY’s claims that the hospital is not profitable.

“If there is any money lost, it’s because we are taking care of patients that can’t pay, which is what the State is supposed to be doing,” said Dr. Matthew Pincus, a Professor of Pathology at SUNY Downstate School of Medicine.

Pincus pointed out that at least half of Downstate’s patients are uninsured: “They want to close a facility that is providing the very thing the State is supposed to be providing.  It’s inconceivable.  How are you going to send these people to these hospitals that can’t accommodate them?”

Dr. Ann Harris, who works in Downstate’s Cardiac Electrophysiology Department, called Downstate the “Columbia Presbyterian” of Brooklyn, noting Downstate provides care which other nearby hospitals cannot provide: “King’s County does not have an interventional Cath Lab.  They are sending their patients to come see us for specialized care.”

Harris noted that the next-closest hospital is New York Presbyterian Brooklyn-Methodist Hospital, which is a 30-minute drive from Downstate - with traffic.

“For every minute that a patient experiences symptoms of a heart attack without treatment, they lose heart muscle.  Time is everything,” Harris said.

Meanwhile, Kowal highlighted the importance of the work done by the Medical Professionals and UUP Members to save Downstate: “At the end of the day, we are fighting for a cause that is just.  We are on the right side of history.”

To Directly Access This Labor News Report, Go To: Experts say closing Downstate will be a nightmare for Brooklyn (uupinfo.org)