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

[Detar, Todd]

Much Deserved!
________________________________________
From: hlthpol-bounces at listserv.ohio.edu [hlthpol-bounces at listserv.ohio.edu] On Behalf Of Barbara Greenwald [bgreenwa at nyit.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 11:30 AM
To: hlthpol-bounces at listserv.ohio.edu; hlthpol at listserv.ohio.edu
Subject: [Hlthpol] Nancy Cooper receives Riland Medal from New York Institute of Technology

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<mailto:bgreenwa at nyit.edu>