Several Jacobs School Faculty Honored at MSCE’s Gala Event

By Dirk Hoffman

In honor of their outstanding contributions to medicine, Nancy H. Nielsen, MD ’76, PhD; and Thomas A. Lombardo Jr., MD ’73, were given Lifetime Achievement Awards.

The MSCE noted that “Nielsen’s multifaceted career as an educator, administrator and policy expert at the Jacobs School has profoundly influenced medical education and health care policy in the Western New York region and beyond.”

Nielsen is senior associate dean for health policy and a clinical professor of medicine at the Jacobs School.

Lombardo was honored for his “40-year career as a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon that exemplifies his dedication to patient-centered treatment, pain management, and thoughtful surgical referrals, positively impacting thousands of lives throughout his long and rewarding career,” according to the MSCE.

Lombardo is a clinical assistant professor in the Office of Medical Admissions at the Jacobs School.

The Distinguished Mentor Award was given to Arthur F. Weissman, MD ’86, “for his unwavering commitment to nurturing the next generation of medical professionals. His guidance has shaped countless careers and fostered a culture of excellence in our medical community, particularly in addressing the critical field of addiction treatment,” the MSCE said.

Weissman is a clinical assistant professor of family medicine and director of the addiction medicine fellowship program at the Jacobs School.

Outstanding Service Awards were given to Joshua J. Lynch, DO; and Gregory J. Bennett, MD ’78, “for their exceptional service.”

Lynch, a national leader in substance use disorder treatment and founder of the MATTERS program, “has revolutionized access to addiction care through innovative approaches in emergency medicine, telemedicine and public health initiatives,” the MSCE said.

He is a clinical associate professor of emergency medicine at the Jacobs School.

Bennett was honored for his “tireless efforts in neurological surgery and internal medicine, which have significantly advanced patient care and medical practices in our community, improving countless lives through his dedication and expertise,” the MSCE said.

Bennett is a clinical assistant professor of surgery at the Jacobs School.

“All of these individuals exemplify the highest standards of medical excellence, mentorship and service to our community,” said Stacey A. Watt, MD, clinical professor of anesthesiology at the Jacobs School, who is the outgoing president of the MSCE.

Iris R. Danziger, MD, clinical assistant professor of otolaryngology at the Jacobs School, was installed as the new president of MSCE at the meeting.

The MSCE’s 2025 Save a Life! Campaign is an initiative designed to empower the community with lifesaving knowledge and skills.

By focusing on crucial topics and equipping its members and their patients with the tools needed to make a difference in emergency situations, the society aims to create a safer and healthier Erie County.