What is an academic medical center and why does it matter to Western New York? This question and others related to how academic medical centers impact patient care, medical education, research and economic development will be discussed at a keynote and panel on Oct. 6 sponsored by the UB Alumni Association.

Open to the public, the event takes place from 8:30-10:30 a.m. in the Screening Room in the Center for the Arts.

For more information and to register, contact Jennifer Seth-Cimini or Erin Zack.

The keynote will be given by James S. Marks, a Buffalo native who received his MD from UB in 1973 and is now executive vice president at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). A panel discussion will follow his keynote.

Marks sees the future of Buffalo and its academic medical center as inextricably linked.

“The move of the medical school downtown and the creation of the medical center campus is a morale-building statement of confidence in Buffalo’s future,” he says. “It is a strong, new base to spur future development that, led and managed well, will help both the city and its academic medical center thrive together.”

Marks is a national leader in public health who has long advocated the strengthening of public health systems and services. In his current position, he directs all program and administrative activities of the RWJF Health Group, including the foundation’s work in childhood obesity, public health and vulnerable populations. 

Marks’ keynote will be followed by a panel discussion featuring:

• James Clements, project manager, Athenex Inc.
• Victor Filadora, UB alumnus and chief of clinical services, Roswell Park Cancer Institute.
• Suzanne Laychock, senior associate dean for faculty affairs and professor of pharmacology and toxicology.
• Gustavo A. Lima, UB alumnus and principal, Cannon Design.
• Kate Mirzozoda, MD/MBA candidate, UB Class of 2018.