Newsmakers—Day One...

Dr. David R. Smith’s calendar for Day One—Sept. 1—as president of SUNY Upstate Medical University included a walk across campus to greet employees and students, along with a visit to the New York State Fair. 

At the fair, Dr. Smith met with SUNY Upstate employees working at the university’s exhibit in the Science and Industry Building, and then sat down to lunch with some of New York’s federal and state lawmakers, including U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and local legislators Assembywoman Joan Christenson and Assemblyman William Magnarelli. Dr. Smith also chatted with SUNY Upstate neighbor, Nancy Cantor, Ph.D, Syracuse University’s chancellor, who also attended the legislative lunch. 

Included in Dr. Smith’s stops at the fair was a visit to the State Fair’s Infirmary, which serves as an alternate site for emergency care in the community. The infirmary, which opened last year, is the result of a four-year collaboration between SUNY Upstate's Center for Emergency Preparedness and the State Fair.

SUNY Upstate President David R. Smith, M.D., greets nurses working
at the university’s exhibit at the New York State Fair.  At center is Ronald R. Young, vice president public and for governmental affairs.

President Smith talks with Wendi Ackerman of the Health Sciences
Library at the SUNY Upstate’s New York State Fair exhibit.

President Smith greets U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
at a legislative luncheon at the New York State Fair.

David R. Smith chats with students in Weiskotten Hall hallway
during his first day as SUNY Upstate president, Sept. 1.

President Smith and his wife, Donna Bacchi, M.D., MPH, (center) speak with Syracuse University Chancellor Nancy Cantor at a legislative luncheon at the New York State Fair.