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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. <b>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. </b>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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">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 <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Athens</st1:place></st1:City>.
In 2000, she became the writing instructor and editor for the Health
Policy
Fellowship, and in 2003, she became the Program Coordinator.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">Cooper has never lost
her
commitment and attachment to community.<span style="">
</span>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 <i style="">Athens County
CASA/GAL of the Year </i>and the <i style="">Ohio
CASA/GAL of the Year.</i> <br>
</p>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">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
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:bgreenwa@nyit.edu">bgreenwa@nyit.edu</a>
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