SYRACUSE, N.Y. (Diya TV) — Upstate Medical University has honored Indian American academic leader Dr. Rajesh Davé with the President’s Award for Distinguished Service, one of the institution’s most prestigious recognitions. The award was presented during the university’s Fall Faculty Convocation on Sept. 10, highlighting Davé’s decades of leadership in medical education and health care.

The President’s Award for Distinguished Service recognizes individuals whose work leaves a lasting impact on the university and its community. Upstate Medical University President Mantosh Dewan praised Davé and fellow honoree Nancy Kern Eaton for their dedication and vision.

“Dr. Davé and Nancy Kern Eaton embody the very spirit of distinguished service,” Dewan said. “Their unwavering commitment has not only elevated the success of our students and faculty, but has truly transformed lives across our region.”

For almost three decades, Davé has guided the Binghamton Clinical Campus, where medical students complete their clinical rotations. Since 1997, he has served as dean of Undergraduate Medical Education. In this role, he has overseen third- and fourth-year students as they train with community physicians. He also holds a faculty appointment as clinical professor of pediatrics, sharing his expertise with future doctors.

Davé’s leadership at the campus has shaped the training of hundreds of medical students. By fostering close ties between students and local physicians, he has ensured that Upstate graduates gain real-world experience while serving the community.

In addition to his academic post, Davé serves as executive vice president of Clinical Integration and chief medical officer at United Health Services, a hospital network based in Binghamton. The system includes more than 500 beds, multi-specialty physician groups, rural hospitals, and senior and home health care services.

At UHS, Davé leads medical staff operations, oversees quality assurance, and directs residency and fellowship programs. His responsibilities also include advancing patient care in rural communities and managing programs for senior citizens. His role reflects a commitment to both medical education and the delivery of high-quality health care.

Davé earned his medical degree from the University of Bombay. He completed his residency in pediatrics at Mercy Catholic Medical Center in Pennsylvania and his fellowship in neonatology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. To strengthen his administrative and leadership skills, he later earned an MBA from Binghamton University.

Board-certified in both pediatrics and neonatology, Davé combines clinical expertise with strong organizational leadership. His career reflects a balance between patient care, education, and health system management.

Beyond his hospital and academic duties, Davé is active in several community organizations. He is a past president of the South-Central Healthy Mothers/Healthy Babies coalition and the South Central New York State Perinatal Association, groups focused on maternal and child health.

He currently serves on the board of HealtheConnections, a regional health information network that covers 11 counties. He is also a board member of the Community Foundation of South-Central New York, which supports local nonprofits and community development initiatives.

Through these roles, Davé has worked to improve access to care, strengthen public health, and build partnerships that benefit families across the region.

Alongside Davé, the university also honored Nancy Kern Eaton, president of the United Way of Central New York. Eaton has been a strong advocate for the community and for Upstate Medical University’s mission. Her leadership has supported health and education programs that reach thousands of families.

With nearly 30 years of leadership at the Binghamton Clinical Campus, Davé has influenced both the medical field and the lives of countless students. His work bridges the classroom, the clinic, and the community. By shaping medical training and advancing health care delivery, he has made a lasting contribution to Upstate Medical University and to the broader region.