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$2M gift funds Endowed Chair in Medicine, honors legacy, fuels innovation
05/19/2025
The inaugural Endowed Chair celebrates Dr. Joseph Belsky’s contributions to medicine and empowers Dr. Aparna Oltikar to advance care at Danbury and New Milford Hospitals.
A heartfelt and transformational $2 million gift has established The Joseph L. Belsky, MD Endowed Chair in Medicine at Danbury Hospital and New Milford Hospital. Aparna Oltikar, MD, a respected physician and leader, is the inaugural chair. The anonymous donor, a Nuvance Health volunteer leader, made the gift and chose to honor Dr. Belsky, a physician whose influence helped shape Danbury Hospital — and to support the future of medicine for generations to come.
“This is as an investment in people — in patients, families and healthcare teams who care for them,” the donor said. “By empowering clinical leaders, expanding care into the community and fostering stronger collaboration across medical specialties, my family and I hope to improve outcomes for those facing difficult and often overwhelming health journeys.”
Dr. Aparna Oltikar: trusted leader in patient-centered care and health equity
Dr. Oltikar is the chair of medicine and vice president of medical affairs at Danbury Hospital and its New Milford Hospital campus. As an internal medicine physician, she is a trusted, steady presence at the hospitals and in the community.
Dr. Oltikar is known for her sharp clinical insight, compassion and deep commitment to patients, colleagues and community members. She leads with calm assurance and a clear vision for improving care and advancing health equity.
With more than 25 years of clinical and administrative experience, Dr. Oltikar has led a wide range of initiatives to improve health equity, access to care and physician development. She has partnered with hospital and community partners to launch programs for underserved populations, including the Youth Academy for LatinX Leaders, Mission Health Day and Global Health Program.
These initiatives reflect her commitment to delivering compassionate, high-quality care beyond hospital walls — meeting people where they are and addressing the social factors that impact health.
“This gift allows us to keep doing what matters most — ensuring everyone in our communities has access to preventive healthcare, offering the latest care to our patients and supporting medical staff,” Dr. Oltikar said. “I’m so honored to receive this recognition, and grateful for what it allows us to do for our patients, care teams and community.”
Honoring a legacy in internal medicine with a transformational gift
The endowed chair honors Dr. Joseph L. Belsky, a trailblazing physician and educator who left an indelible mark on Danbury Hospital and the field of medicine over his 65-year career. Dr. Belsky was the hospital’s first director of medical education and research, and he founded the internal medicine residency program.
In 1986, Dr. Belsky established an annual research day; now called the Joseph L. Belsky Research Day, he continues to inspire doctors, providers and researchers to break boundaries and improve healthcare for all.
Dr. Belsky’s groundbreaking work in endocrinology and radiation exposure research, along with decades of mentorship, earned him deep admiration from colleagues and students and recognition as a Master of the American College of Physicians.
Funding the future of medicine and healthcare leadership
The Joseph L. Belsky, MD Endowed Chair in Medicine is a lasting tribute to a legendary physician and continued investments in healthcare education, innovation and service.
“Endowed chairs represent the highest level of recognition for clinical and academic excellence,” said Grace Linhard, chief development officer at Nuvance Health, part of Northwell Health. “The donor and her family’s extraordinary generosity shows how much they value visionary leadership and meaningful innovation in medicine, and we sincerely thank them for their support.”
Endowed chairs provide perpetual support for physician leadership, clinical innovation, medical education and access to healthcare. At Danbury and New Milford Hospitals, this endowment will allow Dr. Oltikar to:
- Expand mobile and community-based care.
- Support leadership training for medical staff.
- Enhance care coordination across specialties.
- Invest in programs that improve outcomes for patients facing complex challenges.
Congratulations to Dr. Oltikar!