Dr. Ernest J. Barthélemy, chief of neurosurgery at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, has been named the 2025 president-elect of the American Society of Black Neurosurgeons. He will begin his tenure in November, leading national efforts to expand opportunities in neurosurgery for underrepresented groups.
“This role is a great honor and a responsibility,” said Dr. Barthélemy. “The future of neurosurgery must be more comprehensive, more responsive to the needs of all patients, and more intentional about how we prepare and support the next generation of Black neurosurgical leaders. I am proud to bring Brooklyn’s voice to this national mission.”
Founded in 2021, the American Society of Black Neurosurgeons works to increase representation in the field through education, mentorship and community. The organization is shaping a more equitable future for neurosurgery.
As president-elect, Dr. Barthélemy will focus on building a stronger pipeline into the field, improving mentorship and elevating leadership development across academic medicine. His appointment signals a pivotal moment in a specialty where only 3.8% of practicing U.S. neurosurgeons identify as Black and Black women remain drastically underrepresented.
A Brooklyn native and first-generation Haitian American, Dr. Barthélemy brings deep experience to the role. At Downstate, he leads the Division of Neurosurgery and co-directs the Global Neuroscience Initiative. His clinical work spans brain injury, spinal disorders and cancer of the central nervous system. He has helped integrate global health equity into neurosurgical training, shaping a more inclusive approach to care.
Dr. Barthélemy holds an MD from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where he also completed his residency. He earned an MPH from Harvard, an MA from Columbia and a BA from NYU. His training includes fellowships in neurotrauma and global surgery at the University of California, San Francisco.
“Dr. Barthélemy’s appointment to this prestigious national leadership role reflects his extraordinary commitment to clinical excellence advancing fairness in healthcare, education and global health innovation,” said Wayne J. Riley, M.D., president of SUNY Downstate.
Beyond Downstate, he chairs the global neurosurgery subcommittee of the ASBN and holds roles with the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. He co-founded the Society of Haitian Neuroscientists and serves on the boards of mission:BRAIN and the ThinkFirst! National Injury Prevention Foundation.
A published scholar in both English and French, he has authored more than 80 peer-reviewed articles.
