After years of distinguished service as a physician, educator and leader, Andrea T. Manyon, MD, clinical professor and chair of the Department of Family Medicine at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and president and CEO of UBMD Primary Care, will step down from her leadership roles effective Aug. 30 to focus on patient care, community health and public health initiatives.

The Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences is launching a national search for the next chair of the Department of Surgery. The department has gained significant momentum in recent years, expanding its research portfolio, advancing innovation in surgical outcomes, human factors, transplantation and artificial intelligence, and strengthening its surgical education programs.

Steven D. Schwaitzberg, MD, who has led the Department of Surgery for more than a decade, will be stepping down from his role as chair effective June 20, 2026. His many years of leadership and service to the department and to our clinical partners are deeply appreciated.

I am deeply saddened to share the news that Paul Knight III, MD, PhD, a valued member of the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, passed away on March 28.

It is with great sadness that I share the news that our longtime colleague and friend, Alexander (Alastair) C. Brownie, PhD, DSc, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor emeritus of biochemistry, passed away early this morning, March 11. He had just celebrated his 95th birthday on Friday.

With heavy heart, I share the news of the passing of Perry M. Hogan, PhD, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of physiology and biophysics and former chair of the Department of Physiology and Biophysics at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo.

It is with a heavy heart that I share the sad news of the sudden passing of Carroll McWilliams (Mac) Harmon, MD, PhD, on Feb. 11. He was a cherished member of our faculty in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo and an extraordinary leader in pediatric surgery.

After many years of distinguished service, Michael Kuettel, MD, PhD, MBA, will retire from his positions as professor and chair of radiation oncology at the Jacobs School and chair of radiation medicine with our health care partner, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. 

It is with mixed emotions that I share that Jeff Comanici will be leaving his role as assistant vice president for advancement at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo.