For Immediate Release

August 11, 2026

State Sen. Zellnor Myrie and his wife, former Assemblymember Diana Richardson-Myrie chose to have their first child at SUNY Downstate University Hospital.

For State Sen. Zellnor Myrie and his wife, former Assemblymember Diana Richardson-Myrie, choosing the compassionate doctors and medical staff at SUNY Downstate University Hospital to deliver their first child was a no-brainer.

Those skilled professionals—including the Downstate obstetrics team that recently helped the family welcome their daughter, Zenora, into the world—are members of United University Professions, the nation’s largest higher education union.

"Choosing Downstate was one of the most important—and easiest—healthcare decisions in our lives,” Myrie said. “Skilled UUP members at Downstate—physicians, nurses and medical staff—provided us with superior care from the earliest days of our pregnancy through delivery and beyond. Downstate's staff has served Central Brooklyn for generations and has been there for us both in times of great joy and great challenge.

“Our community faces significant health disparities, and we're lucky to have Downstate and its UUP-affiliated workforce providing excellent and accessible care right here in our neighborhood,” Myrie added. “We will forever be grateful to the staff who took such wonderful care of us.”

Myrie, who credits Downstate physicians, nurses and medical staff for saving his life during a brief hospitalization for COVID in 2021, has strong connections to Downstate hospital.

He stood with UUP members in 2024 and 2025 to stop SUNY from closing Downstate. His strong support for Downstate was a contributing factor in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s decision in 2025 to provide $1.1 billion to repair and revitalize the Central Brooklyn teaching hospital, which is in his Senate district.

“We are thrilled that Senator Myrie and his wife, Diana Richardson-Myrie, chose Downstate for the birth of their daughter,” said UUP President Fred Kowal. “Thanks to Senator Myrie, Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state Legislature, Downstate will be a state-of-the-art facility that provides high-quality care for decades to come.

“But it’s more than that. It’s our people, our members at Downstate, who make the real difference,” Kowal continued. “We are honored that Senator Myrie and his wife chose Downstate to bring their precious baby into the world.”

Myrie made a point of naming and publicly thanking UUP members and Downstate staff who provided care to his wife and daughter during their stay at Downstate.

“We would like to specifically thank Natalie Baker, Lawrencia Gyapong, Lyudmila Kheyman, Magda Lopez, Winston Neckles, Crystal Negron, Toni Ramos, and Rawlica Sumner for their excellent care and service to our family,” Myrie said.

Redetha Abrahams-Nichols, president of UUP’s Downstate Chapter and is Downstate’s Emergency Department nurse leader, credited the dedication and professionalism of UUP members at Downstate, who provide vital, life-saving care for everyone, even those who cannot afford to pay.

“Our members make a difference in the lives of our patients, their families and the community and it’s wonderful when someone recognizes that and speaks out about it,” said Abrahams-Nichols, who lives in Central Brooklyn. “Our members at Downstate fought hard to keep this hospital open because the community needs this hospital. That’s the kind of dedication and commitment our members bring with them every day.”