Cynthia L. Benson

Cynthia L. Benson serves as Interim Medical Director and Director of Quality for the University Hospital at Downstate Emergency Department at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. As a board-certified emergency physician with over 15 years of experience, she holds the academic rank of Clinical Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine and demonstrates leadership in high-volume academic and community healthcare settings.

Her educational background includes a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Nova Southeastern University, and an Executive MBA from Wagner College. She completed her residency and chief residency at SUNY Downstate/King’s County Hospital Center.

Dr. Benson specializes in optimizing emergency care through quality improvement methodologies, clinical decision-making frameworks, and healthcare administration strategies. Her work focuses on enhancing patient flow, interdisciplinary collaboration, and operational efficiency in emergency departments while maintaining a patient-centered approach to care delivery.

Her professional recognition includes fellowship in the American College of Emergency Physicians (FACEP).

As an educator, Dr. Benson actively mentors residents and medical students, frequently lecturing on quality improvement techniques and professional development. Her administrative leadership extends to previous roles at Northwell Health and Overlook Hospital (Atlantic Health System), where she pioneered innovations in emergency department operations and quality metrics.

She currently leads the University Hospital at Downstate Emergency Department, driving initiatives that integrate clinical excellence with operational improvements through collaborative team structures.