Senate Resolution No. 1352

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

COMMENDING Harshal Kirane, M.D. upon the occasion
of his designation for special honor at Doctor's
Recognition Day on March 29, 2017

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality of life in the communities across this great State of New
York is enriched by the diligence and compassionate commitment of those
individuals whose singular purpose is the care and welfare of others;
and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Harshal Kirane, M.D. upon the occasion of his designation for
special honor by the Medical Society of the County of Kings, Inc., the
Academy of Medicine of Brooklyn and the Richmond County Medical Society,
to be celebrated at its Doctor's Recognition Day on Wednesday, March 29,
2017, at Gargiulo's Restaurant, Brooklyn, New York; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Harshal Kirane is an addiction psychiatrist committed
to fostering positive change for Staten Island; and

WHEREAS, As the Director of Addiction Services at Northwell Health,
Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH), Dr. Harshal Kirane has led
significant advancements in clinical practice, education and public
awareness of addiction; and

WHEREAS, Prior to focusing his professional interest in Staten
Island, Dr. Harshal Kirane completed medical school and his psychiatric
residency at UT Southwestern in Dallas, Texas; in addition, he completed
a fellowship in brain imaging with emphasis on learning and memory in
schizophrenia; and

WHEREAS, From this foundation in clinical and basic science, Dr.
Harshal Kirane pursued a fellowship in addiction psychiatry at New York
University; he then sought a position at SIUH to be at the frontlines of
New York City's drug epidemic; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Harshal Kirane has led Staten Island University
Hospital's Addiction Services since 2013; in this capacity he has been
instrumental in driving a number of hospital-based initiatives to
enhance patient care; and

WHEREAS, With a focus on strategies to address Staten Island's
opioid epidemic, Dr. Harshal Kirane led the expansion of the outpatient
ancillary management program, which has engaged more than 300 new
patients and continues to grow; he also developed an inpatient program
to increase distribution of naloxone rescue kits; and

WHEREAS, On a system-wide level, Dr. Harshal Kirane is co-chair of a
workgroup developing new practice guidelines for the management of
opioid prescribing to be implemented across the Northwell Health system;
these efforts translate to meaningful improvements in overdose
prevention in the community; and


WHEREAS, Dr. Harshal Kirane tremendously values the role of
educating clinicians and the public; he developed a curriculum for
addiction education for SIUH's psychiatry residency and is in the
process of expanding this process for internal medicine and surgery
programs; and

WHEREAS, A dynamic physician and passionate educator who champions
positive change for all Staten Islanders, Dr. Harshal Kirane truly
embodies the mission of service and innovation of SIUH; and

WHEREAS, In the faithful performance of his duties and
responsibilities, Dr. Harshal Kirane's ongoing efforts and notable
achievements have significantly contributed to bettering the quality of
life in his community; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure, Dr. Harshal Kirane has continuously
displayed initiative and an unrelenting commitment when pursuing the
highest of goals, and he has served as a role model of leadership to be
emulated by all; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Harshal Kirane, M.D. upon the occasion of his designation for
special honor at Doctor's Recognition Day on March 29, 2017; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Harshal Kirane, M.D.