We are pleased to announce that the STAR Health Center at SUNY Downstate (“STAR
Downstate”) has successfully renewed its New York State Patient-Centered Medical Home
(NYS PCMH) recognition for the 2025–2026 cycle—continuing a designation we first earned in
2012, when STAR became the first outpatient clinic at SUNY Downstate to achieve this
distinction. The new recognition is effective November 6, 2025–December 1, 2026. PCMH
designation for STAR garners thousands of dollars in Medicaid incentive funding for University
Hospital at Downstate each year.

Why PCMH Matters
The PCMH model, conferred through the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA),
places patients at the center of care and emphasizes strong, coordinated care teams. Research
shows that PCMH practices improve quality, patient experience, and staff satisfaction, while
also enhancing chronic disease management and lowering overall healthcare costs. More than
10,000 practices nationwide participate in this program, making it the most widely adopted
model of its kind.

STAR-Downstate’s renewed recognition confirms our continued commitment to delivering high-
quality, patient-centered, accessible care aligned with national standards.

Acknowledgments
PCMH renewal requires extensive coordination, documentation, and quality reporting. We
extend heartfelt thanks to:

– Dr. Manisha Singh, Physician Lead for Quality, for her clinical guidance and support
throughout the renewal process;
– Natalie Mitchell, for her meticulous tracking of patient referral outcomes;
– Mohsin Sardar, PhD and Susan Holman, DrPH, RN, MS on the STAR Data
Reporting Team, whose meticulous work made this achievement possible; and
– Dr. Jessica Yager, STAR Medical Director, for her leadership in sustaining patient-
centered care excellence.

We are grateful to everyone whose dedication keeps STAR-Downstate at the forefront of coordinated, patient-
centered primary care.