LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Harry A. Winters, M.D. upon the occasion
of his designation as a recipient of the Health Care Leadership Award by
the American Cancer Society

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organiza-
tions and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the
community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Harry A.
Winters, M.D. upon the occasion of his designation as a recipient of the
Health Care Leadership Award by the American Cancer Society, to be cele-
brated on Thursday, May 7, 2009; and
WHEREAS, This special Pink and Black Tie Gala will recognize outstand-
ing members of the Brooklyn community for their contributions to the
dynamic growth of Brooklyn as well as their commitment to the fight
against cancer; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Harry Winters has quietly committed to and succeeded in
improving the health of Brooklyn, mentoring colleagues and students, and
greatly expanding high-quality colon cancer screening and care for
Brooklyn's most vulnerable residents during the past decade; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Harry Winters' work with the American Cancer Society
includes Woodhull Medical Center's successful integration and expansion
of their New York City Council project focused on providing colonoscopy
screening for uninsured patients; offered to multiple hospitals through-
out the five boroughs, Woodhull rapidly became a leader in implementa-
tion; and
WHEREAS, Since its inception, Woodhull Medical Center has provided
screening colonoscopies for over 1,000 uninsured patients; in addition,
under Dr. Harry Winters' guidance, 40% of the patients applying for a
colonoscopy under this program were determined to be Medicaid eligible
and enrolled; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Harry Winters' efforts have been vital to the New York
City Department of Health finding in 2008 that, alone in the United
States, New York City has been able to drastically reduce (in fact,
almost eliminate) racial disparities in colorectal screening; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from Hofstra University magna cum laude with
a BA degree in Biology, Dr. Harry Winters attended medical school at
SUNY Downstate Medical Center, where he completed his Internal Medicine
residency and a Gastroenterology fellowship at Kings County Medical
Center; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Harry Winters then joined Woodhull Medical Center as an
attending physician and, subsequently, became the Acting Chief in the
Division of Gastroenterology; he later returned to SUNY Downstate
Medical Center to serve as the Director of the Endoscopy Service for
both SUNY Downstate and Kings County Medical Centers; as Chair of the
Endoscopy Committee, he was responsible for quality improvement and new
policies in endoscopy; and
WHEREAS, Since January of 2004, Dr. Harry Winters has served as the
Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology at Woodhull Medical Center;
during this time, he has led an extensive redesign and expansion of the
Endoscopy Unit, which has resulted in the following: 142% increase in
the total number of procedures; 185% increase in all colonoscopies; and
380% increase in screening colonoscopies, all in three years; and
WHEREAS, With Dr. Harry Winters throughout have been his wife, Coleen,
and their three children, Laura, Kristen and Daniel, all of whom feel
privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the life in their community and have shown a long and sustained
commitment to excellence certainly have earned recognition and applause;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Harry A. Winters, M.D. upon the occasion of his designation as a
recipient of the Health Care Leadership Award by the American Cancer
Society; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Harry A. Winters, M.D.