By Office of Communications Staff

Students, faculty mentors and community partners came together to celebrate the relationships and shared commitment that have advanced PHIG’s mission of promoting public health, civic engagement and medical education affordability.

The evening highlighted the many individuals and organizations that have supported PHIG’s work, particularly its advocacy efforts in Albany and initiatives aimed at amplifying student voices. Awards were presented to community leaders, faculty mentors and partners whose guidance, expertise and encouragement have helped students transform their passion for public health into meaningful action.

Among those recognized were Karen Craik, EdD, MHA, clinical assistant professor of epidemiology and environmental health in the School of Public Health and Health Professions, who received the Advocacy Mentor Award, and Megan Toohey, director of government relations in UB’s Office of Government and Community Relations, who received the Public Service Leadership Award.

The Visionary Leadership Award was presented to Kenneth V. Snyder, MD, PhD, associate professor of neurosurgery, radiology and neurology in the Jacobs School and faculty adviser to PHIG.

Nancy H. Nielsen, MD ’76, PhD, senior associate dean for health policy and clinical professor of medicine in the Jacobs School, received the Guiding Vision Award.

“It’s been a joy to work with these committed Public Health Interest Group students who have enthusiasm and a huge desire to change things for the better,” Nielsen said.

“I teach ways to grow one’s influence in medical organizations that each will be part of throughout their careers and make sure they value the expertise of state and federal government relations professionals who are ‘process’ experts, while those of us in medicine provide ‘content’ expertise on the need for change, often through stories of meaningful patient encounters.”

Dawn M. Cwierley, interim director of communications at the Jacobs School, received the Community Impact Award for helping share PHIG’s story and amplifying its advocacy initiatives through university communications.

Additional awards recognized organizations and community leaders who have supported student advocacy efforts. Doctors Not Debt, a University at Buffalo premedical student organization, received the Advocacy Alliance Award. Bruce Simon, associate professor of English at SUNY Fredonia and president of the SUNY University Faculty Senate, received the Leadership Insight Award.

Sibu Nair, director of Asian American affairs for New York state, received the Collaborative Partnership Award for supporting PHIG and helping the group build connections within the legislative community.

More than an awards ceremony, the honorarium reflected the collaborative spirit that has fueled PHIG’s growth. As students reflected on a year that included legislative advocacy in Albany, they also looked ahead to expanding their engagement in health policy.

“Over the past year, PHIG has significantly expanded its involvement in health policy and legislative advocacy,” said Katie Holzmacher, PHIG advocacy coordinator and a second-year medical student at the Jacobs School. “With the generous support of our mentors and community partners, our students have developed the knowledge, skills and confidence to effectively engage with policymakers.”

One of the group’s signature accomplishments was organizing an advocacy trip to Albany, where medical students met with legislators to discuss medical school affordability and the impact of changes to federal student loan programs. Holzmacher said the experience demonstrated the important role students can play in shaping the future of health care policy.

Building on that momentum, PHIG leaders hope to continue advocating for medical school affordability in New York while exploring opportunities for a future advocacy trip to Washington, D.C.

“Medical students offer a unique and valuable perspective in public policy discussions,” Holzmacher said. “As future physicians, we are well positioned to identify challenges, recognize opportunities for improvement and advocate for policies that strengthen patient care and improve medical education.”

She added that engaging with federal lawmakers would help students advocate for policies that keep medical education accessible and affordable while supporting a strong and diverse physician workforce.