Douglas R. Lazzaro, MD ’90, Interim Head of Downstate Department of Surgery
Douglas Lazzaro, MD
Dr. Antonio Alfonso stepped down from the Clarence and Mary Dennis Chair of the Department of Surgery in June, but is continuing as a Distinguished Teaching Professor and member of the senior faculty. His previous position has been posted and the School of Medicine has received inquiries from interested candidates. A search committee is forming to assess candidates and to make recommendation.
“We have defined what we believe will be a solid management structure that will ensure that the academic and clinical activities of this important department will continue to run smoothly throughout what we expect will be a relatively brief period,” said Dean Carlos Pato, Dean of the School of Medicine. “Thanks, in no small measure, to the willingness of several members of the department to continue in their roles and assume additional responsibilities.”
Dr. Alexander Schwartzman will continue to serve as Vice Chair and facilitate the department’s clinical and administrative activities. Dr. Lisa Dresner will continue to serve as Program Director of the General Surgery residency program. Dr. Gainosuke Sugiyama, currently Chief of the Division of General Surgery, will assume an expanded role as Interim Vice Chair for Academic Affairs, overseeing faculty affairs and research.
Together with the other division chiefs, these three departmental leaders will function under the general supervision of Dr. Douglas Lazzaro, who will serve as Interim Chair of the Department of Surgery.
“Dr. Lazzaro, who is Vice Dean for Clinical Affairs in the Dean’s Office, is a senior ophthalmologic surgeon with deep experience in the development and management of clinical services in a variety of settings and will provide a broad and objective perspective on the operations of the department and is committed to maintaining the current standard of academic and clinical excellence for which the department is known.”
—SUNY Downstate
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