The chief executive of SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn has stepped down amid concerns about “unethical conduct,” according to a statement from Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Dr. David Berger, who has served as the hospital’s chief executive since 2020, resigned on Wednesday, according to Downstate spokesperson Holly Liapis.
Politico reported that Berger is being investigated by both the state inspector general’s office and the state Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government over allegations of financial misconduct.
Berger, Liapis, Hochul’s office, the state Office of the Inspector General and the state ethics commission all declined to comment on the reported investigation.
Still, Hochul alluded to the potential misconduct in a statement on Berger’s resignation.
“I have made clear that my administration has no tolerance for any form of unethical conduct, and I immediately directed SUNY to restructure leadership at University Hospital after I was briefed on the situation,” she said. “Moving forward, I want to reassure the community that the hospital is in responsible hands and will be under enhanced oversight by SUNY during this transition period.”
Berger is being replaced for now by an interim CEO, Dr. Patricia Winston, who currently serves as Downstate’s senior vice president of hospital operations, Liapis said. She added that Berger will serve as a special adviser to the hospital for 30 days to aid in the transition.
“As always, SUNY takes all necessary steps to ensure it upholds the strongest standards and legal requirements,” Liapis said in a statement. “SUNY is implementing necessary measures to ensure additional oversight and stability during this transition. SUNY remains committed to ensuring a strong future for Downstate.”
The upheaval comes as the hospital’s future remains in limbo. Earlier this year, SUNY Chancellor John King Jr. and Hochul unveiled a plan to close the hospital and replace it with an outpatient center, saying the hospital, which is already propped up with government subsidies, was losing too much money.
That proposal was ultimately scrapped amid community pushback. Instead, Hochul has convened an advisory board to come up with a “fiscally responsible, long-term plan” for the hospital’s future. Their recommendations are due in April.
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