At the heart of basic and clinical biomedical research is the need to carefully gather data, analyze it and interpret it in order to validate the stated objectives of a research study. Since 1985, the Biostatistics Unit has played an important role in the Northwell Health research program by providing support to investigators in the design, implementation, data management, statistical analysis, and publication of basic science and clinical research studies. This is accomplished by applying established statistical and mathematical methods to the analysis of research data, as well as developing new methods to address complex research problems.

Additionally, members of the department teach biostatistics, epidemiology, and research study design to faculty, residents, medical students, and other staff throughout the system and its affiliated medical schools. The Biostatistics Unit at the Feinstein Institute is unique in that it is one of only a handful of biostatistics departments in the US that is administratively part of a health care system that is not a medical school or university.