[Hlthpol] Nancy Cooper receives Riland Medal from New York Institute of Technology

[George Mychaskiw]

Outstanding and well-deserved!


George Mychaskiw II, DO, FAAP, FACOP
Professor,  
Department of Anesthesiology
University of Mississippi School of Medicine
2500 North State Street
Jackson, MS 39216-4505
(601) 984-5900, Fax (601) 984-5939
gmychaskiw at anesthesia.umsmed.edu
>>> Barbara Greenwald <bgreenwa at nyit.edu> 09/30/09 10:30 AM >>>
Each fall, during its convocation for health professions students, the 
New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), which is the parent school of 
the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYCOM), awards a Riland 
Medal (named in honor of its founding trustee, W. Kenneth Riland) to 
those individuals who have made significant contributions to the 
improvement of health care, medical research, health policy, osteopathic 
philosophy, and community service. *This year, the Riland Medal for 
health policy was awarded to Nancy Cooper, the program coordinator and 
policy guru for the AOA National Health Policy Fellowship. *Due to the 
death of a close friend, Cooper was unable to attend the NYIT 
Convocation. She was presented with the Riland Medal by HPF founder and  
NYIT Vice President of Health Sciences and Medical Affairs, Barbara 
Ross-Lee, DO, on Sept. 27 during the graduation of the 2008/09 Health 
Policy Fellowship class.

Nancy Cooper's policy expertise, coupled with an extensive network of 
health policy leaders, has enabled fellowship participants to develop 
health policy expertise that the osteopathic profession can draw upon. 
Under her dynamic leadership, the Health Policy Fellowship program has 
prepared emerging professional leaders to serve in policy positions 
inside and outside of the profession. Fellows have been called upon to 
staff committees, commissions and task forces at the federal and state 
levels; provide testimony to governmental agencies on issues relevant to 
osteopathic medicine; and develop policy positions on emerging health 
policy issues for the profession. The program has housed and trained 
nine AOA Trustees--including the current AOA president and 
president-elect, 10 deans of osteopathic medical schools, 45 members of 
the AOA House of Delegates, and several other leaders in the profession.

Cooper manages all aspects of the fellowship program, regularly 
collaborates with state and federal policymakers and political leaders, 
and serves as a mentor to all of the program participants as they delve 
into the complexities of broad healthcare issues. Her superb analytical 
and editorial skills have facilitated the publication of fellows' policy 
papers in peer-reviewed journals and research presentations at state and 
specialty college conventions/meetings, as well as the annual AOA 
convention.

Cooper graduated from Ohio University in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science 
Degree in Education and certifications to teach English, psychology, and 
reading. She has taught high school and college students, illiterate 
adults, prison inmates and the learning disabled. She began her service 
to osteopathic medicine fifteen years ago as a learning specialist for 
medical students at the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine 
in Athens. In 2000, she became the writing instructor and editor for the 
Health Policy Fellowship, and in 2003, she became the Program Coordinator.

Cooper has never lost her commitment and attachment to community.  In 
addition to working in health policy, Cooper serves as a volunteer Court 
Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) for abused and 
neglected children. In 2006, she received regional and state recognition 
for her work when she was named /Athens County CASA/GAL of the Year /and 
the /Ohio CASA/GAL of the Year./ 

Barbara Greenwald, Project Development Coordinator
Office of the Vice President for
Health Sciences and Medical Affairs
New York Institute of Technology
Old Westbury, New York 11568-8000
Phone: (516) 686-3958
bgreenwa at nyit.edu










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