In 1993, Arthur Ashe established the Institute in partnership with SUNY Downstate intentionally, moved by the institution's long history of serving immigrants and low-income Brooklyn residents as well as staff and faculty's research. As the only academic medical center in Brooklyn, SUNY Downstate's history of service, education and training in the community facilitate the Institute's ability to forge community-campus partnerships for health addressing root causes of health disparities. These linkages allow partners to manifest their commitment to improving health outcomes by implementing strategies that allow partners, elected officials, community leaders, local business, community based organizations and individuals to participate in creating solutions to complex and persistent health concerns.
