Donald W. Rowe, director of the Office of Public Health Practice and a faculty member in the Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, 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, named for Herman M. Biggs, a pioneer in the field of public health and New York State public health commissioner for 26 years, is given annually for outstanding achievement in public health.

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 director of the Office of Public Health Practice, his focus is on connecting the school with the practice community to improve the health of communities.

Rowe also teaches courses in public health practice and community health assessment and surveillance.

He serves as chair of the New York State Rural Health Council, president of the New York State Association for Rural Health, and a member of the board of directors of 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’s public health school.

He has been the recipient of numerous awards, among them 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 School of Public Health and Health Professions for community service and dedication to faculty and students.