Brooklyn, NY – (April 17, 2024) – Maimonides Health is proud to announce that Dr. Ingrid Walker-Descartes, Medical Director for Child Maltreatment Services and Vice Chair of Education in the Department of Pediatrics, Maimonides Children’s Hospital, has been named a finalist in the Crain’s New York Business Women of Influence Awards, in the category of Rising Stars.
This recognition celebrates Dr. Walker-Descartes’ contributions to healthcare, her focus on advocating for vulnerable populations, and her role as a leader in educating the next generation of pediatricians. Dr. Walker-Descartes has been crucial to the development of MMC’s comprehensive child abuse services, including Maimonides’ Child Abuse Fellowship, the first of its kind in New York state. She also leads Maimonides’ CALM (Child Advocacy-Like Model) Program, a team of multidisciplinary pediatric professionals committed to best outcomes for child welfare-involved children and the efforts required for the prevention of trauma. As Brooklyn’s only children’s hospital and pediatric trauma center, these services at Maimonides are profoundly influential for children and families in the borough.
Her efforts have enhanced safety, equity, and care for patients and families, while also paving the way for medical professionals in a field in which women are historically underrepresented.
Through her clinical role, Dr. Walker-Descartes is guided by her passion for improving the lives of girls and women in the community by providing care to victims of sexual assaults, most of whom are female and under 18 years old. Through her activism, she drives providers, students, residents, and fellows to take action against sexual abuse and domestic and intimate partner violence, which also affects women at a higher rate than men. Dr. Walker-Descartes serves as co-chair of the American Association of Pediatrics Chapter 2 Committee on the Prevention of Family Violence and as Chief Medical Officer for JCCA of New York. She is also a member of several other local and national professional organizations dedicated to child welfare. In 2022, she was recognized as a United Hospital Fund Quality Champion, and she was also recognized among Crain’s 2023 Notable Black Leaders.
“We are deeply proud of Dr. Walker-Descartes’ leadership and know that her achievement as a finalist in Crain’s Women of Influence is well deserved,” said Kenneth Gibbs, President and CEO of Maimonides Health. “Her dedication to helping the community through her clinical and educational roles underscores our collective commitment to creating a culture of excellence and compassion in healthcare. At Maimonides, our many trailblazing professionals like Dr. Walker-Descartes are paving the way to a brighter, more inclusive future for healthcare.”
“Dr. Walker-Descartes’ dedication to education and advocacy embodies Maimonides’ mission of providing excellent patient care to our community here in Brooklyn,” said Dr. Jeffrey Avner, Chair of Pediatrics at Maimonides Children’s Hospital. “This recognition is a testament to the difference Dr. Walker-Descartes is making in the lives those she serves, and we at Maimonides look forward to continuing to support her future work and advocacy initiatives.”
Crain’s New York Business Women of Influence recognizes female leaders across various industries, who have used their positions to open doors for others and contribute to their communities in meaningful ways. As we observe Child Abuse Prevention Month this April, it is fitting to celebrate Dr. Walker-Descartes’ selection as a finalist for her significant contributions to healthcare, through promoting gender equity, advocacy, and empowerment in the medical field.
The winners will be selected and announced on May 1, 2024. To learn more about the award, please visit: https://www.crainsnewyork.com/events/crains-2024-women-influence
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About Maimonides Health
Maimonides Health is Brooklyn’s largest healthcare system, serving over 300,000 patients each year through the system’s three hospitals, 1,700 physicians, and more than 80 community-based practices and outpatient centers. The system is anchored by Maimonides Medical Center, one of the nation’s largest independent teaching hospitals and home to centers of excellence in numerous specialties; Maimonides Midwood Community Hospital (formerly New York Community Hospital), a 130-bed adult medical-surgical hospital; and Maimonides Children’s Hospital, Brooklyn’s only children’s hospital, and only pediatric trauma center.
Maimonides’ clinical programs rank among the best in the country for patient outcomes, including its Heart and Vascular Institute, Neurosciences Institute, Bone and Joint Center, and Cancer Center. Maimonides is an affiliate of Northwell Health and a major clinical training site for SUNY Downstate College of Medicine. For additional information, please visit www.maimo.org.
About Maimonides Children’s Hospital
Maimonides Children’s Hospital, Brooklyn’s only Children’s Hospital and Pediatric Trauma Center, offers a full array of pediatric primary care and specialty services. We are also a Regional Perinatal Center and a member of the Children’s Oncology Group. Our staff comprises an outstanding team of board-certified pediatric physicians, surgeons, nurses, nurse practitioners, and child life specialists who dedicate their lives to the health and well-being of children. Our pediatric-specific interdisciplinary approach ensures each child receives the expertise and best care possible in an environment created and designed for their comfort. For additional information, please visit www.maimo.org/treatments-care/childrens-hospital/.