UB’s Rowe receives New York State Public Health Association award

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Donald W. Rowe, PhD, director of the Office of Public Health Practice and a faculty member in the Department of Community Health and Health Behavior at the University at Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professions, has been named the 2015 recipient of the Herman M. Biggs Public Health Award by the New York State Public Health Association.

The award, which is given annually to an individual who is recognized for outstanding achievement in public health, is named for Herman M. Biggs, MD, a pioneer in the field of public health and New York State public health commissioner for 26 years.

In a career spanning 40 years, Rowe is recognized for his longstanding contributions to tobacco control, emergency preparedness, community service, coalition building and rural health. As the director of the Office of Public Health Practice, he focuses on connecting the school with the practice community so that together they have an opportunity to improve the health of communities.

In addition, Rowe teaches courses in public health practice and community health assessment and surveillance.

Rowe serves as chair of the New York State Rural Health Council, president of the New York State Association for Rural Health, and as a member of the board of directors for the Western New York Public Health Alliance Inc. and the Western New York Rural Area Health Education Center. He also co-directs the Population Health Observatory in UB public health school.

He has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Outstanding Leadership in Public Health Award from the New York State Public Health Association; Public Health Professional of the Year from the New York State Association of County Health Officials; Community Health Network of Western New York Leadership Award; the Lake Plains Community Care Network Service Award; co-recipient of the Program of the Year Award from the New York State Association for Rural Health; and two Dean’s Awards from the UB School of Public Health and Health Professions for community service and dedication to faculty and students.

“Public health is my passion,” says Rowe. “Where else do you have the opportunity to help both individuals and entire communities? I can’t imagine a more rewarding career.”

The University at Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professions offers graduate level degree programs and is the home to five departments: Biostatistics, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Community Health and Health Behavior, Rehabilitation Science and Epidemiology and Environmental Health. It is one of only a few schools across the country that includes health-related professions as an integral component of the public health educational and research system. The School of Public Health and Health Professions is located in Kimball Tower on the South Campus of University at Buffalo.  For more information about the school, visit www.sphhp.buffalo.edu.