An Action Convening Hosted by New York Academy of Medicine & Johns Hopkins University
New York, NY (July 14, 2026)—New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) co-hosted a convening on July 9 aimed at advancing primary care solutions that will help protect New Yorkers from rising heat, poor air quality, and other weather-related health impacts. Johns Hopkins University faculty also co-hosted the full-day, invitation-only meeting. Leaders and change agents from across the health spectrum, from payers to public health, walked away armed with informed recommendations for systems transformation and partnerships across New York City. This convening was supported by NYAM and the Bloomberg American Health Initiative.
Sonia Angell, MD, Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of the Practice of American Health, department of epidemiology, at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and assistant clinical professor of medicine at Columbia University, was one of the architects of the effort. Dr. Angell provided welcoming remarks for the full capacity room of invited attendees. She expressed excitement to be a part of organizing this first-its-kind NYC convening, where all of those in attendance, from payors and primary care to public health and community, brought unique expertise to inform interventions.
“Many people don’t know that common weather exposures, like heat and poor air quality, can cause health problems. This is true even at non-extreme levels. Older adults, pregnant people, and those with underlying health conditions, like heart and lung disease, can be at particular risk. Primary care systems can be a key player in helping our patients prevent and control these weather-related impacts on health, but primary care can’t do it alone,” Dr. Angell explained. “This meeting was designed to bring NYC’s key sectors together, to design cutting edge solutions, like only NYC can do.”
Ann Kurth, PhD, CNM, MPH, NYAM president and CEO, conveyed the opportunity of this gathering to move towards much-needed solutions.
“New York Academy of Medicine is steadfast in combating the climate crisis and helping build resilience through research, advocacy, and convenings. More common weather events, like increased temperatures that led to approximately 525 deaths in the summer of 2025, as well as cold spells that we experienced this past winter, have a significant impact on community health,” Dr. Kurth stated. “These weather challenges can magnify pre-existing health issues, accelerate rising healthcare costs, and overburden healthcare infrastructure.”
Mitchell Katz, MD, president and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals, presented one of the convening’s morning keynote speeches. Dr. Katz reflected on a late spring day in 2023 when the New York skyline was engulfed in a haze due to winds carrying wildfire smoke from Canada. In doing so, he echoed Dr. Angell’s sentiment about how extreme weather can distract our attention from the fact that more common, less extreme weather can also cause health problems.
“I remember walking out of my building and that sort of amber-colored air, thinking about my patients, the system and what we were going to do,” Dr. Katz said. He followed by stating that while such seemingly novel weather events are important, they do not address everyday problems exacerbated by poor air quality and hot days when some people can’t afford to run air conditioners, if they even have one. “Like most internists, my patients skew, of course, to people with chronic diseases. I need to be thinking about the right way to educate them, and the social determinants of health. How do we figure out how to subsidize the utility costs of people who are at risk of the heat? If somebody sees you every six months, how would you get them on a schedule to come in April or October, to avoid both extremes in cold weather and heat? Our work is to figure out the best flow to make this happen.”
Pivoting off Dr. Katz’s speech, Jorge Petit, MD, executive deputy commissioner at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, focused on how weather impacts health not just physically, but also behaviorally. The department of health runs a healthcare resiliency community of practice, and Dr. Petit urged those in attendance to join this cross-agency initiative.
“If your organization isn’t already at the table, this is a way of plugging in, and we’re happy to make those connections today. This is the type of partnership that only works if the room sees weather as a health and a behavioral health issue in the first place, not just a physical manifestation,” he explained. “Non-optimal weather changes behavioral (health outcomes) on a timeline that we can see in real time. We see emergency visits moving, crisis calls moving, overdose patterns being affected. A layer of primary care sits right next to your patients living with these chronic illnesses and behavioral health conditions. (They) are often the same patients and weather is hitting them both at once.”
The solutions Dr. Angell referenced don’t require years of research or study to implement. “This isn’t a knowledge problem; it’s a design problem,” Dr. Angell said. By drawing attention to the problem and catalyzing collaborations and projects across primary care delivery systems and communities, feasible solutions will become evident. Several engaging ‘lightning sessions’ bolstered this goal:
- NYC Weather-and-Health Data from the Field: from air quality to the NYC Heat Vulnerability Index and related healthcare costs
- Health IT and Digital Readiness: the power of electronic health records, tech-payor collaboration, and outreach with high-risk individuals
- Clinical Care Interventions: from the Medicaid waiver air conditioner program to heat messaging and an Asthma pilot in the Bronx
From an intentional focus on the most at-risk populations to improving health care for all, this convening stimulated innovative thinking, generated guidance, and catalyzed upcoming collaborations. This meeting contributes to advancing primary care in New York City, so that together, we foster healthier, longer lives for all.
About New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM)
NYAM is a leading voice for innovation in population health. With over 179 years of history, we are committed to a future where everyone has what they need for a healthier, longer life. Guided by the expertise of nearly 2,000 Fellows, a world-class historical medical library, and its convening, capacity-building and community-informed research, New York Academy of Medicine creates actionable solutions to today’s most pressing health challenges. To learn more, visit www.nyam.org.
Media Contact:
Max Mallet
Marketing Content Manager
New York Academy of Medicine
212-822-7314
New York, NY (April 23, 2026)—New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) is proud to host the Forum on Inter-Collegiate Regional Events for Nursing Doctoral Students and Faculty (FIRE). The NYAM Section on Nursing’s flagship annual event will take place on Monday, April 27, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Attending doctoral nursing students submitted their scholarship ahead of time. The attendees with most engaging submissions will present their findings publicly over the course of the evening. NYAM Fellow Aliza Bitton Ben-Zacharia, PhD, DNP, ANP-BC, FAAN, an assistant professor at the Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing who is co-leading the event, said FIRE creates a space to highlight scholarship, collaborate on ideas, and learn from peers across disciplines.
“For anyone interested in collaboration, feedback, or simply seeing the range of ongoing doctoral work, it’s a worthwhile experience,” Dr. Ben-Zacharia told NYAM in a recent conversation. “I’m most looking forward to the conversations that come out of it—hearing how others are thinking about their work, the challenges they’re tackling, and the different approaches they’re using.”
NYAM Fellow Gabriela Mattson, PhD, RN-C, MBA, MSN, echoed Dr. Ben Zacharia’s enthusiasm for the event that can create a collaboration pipeline for nursing students at an early stage of their careers. Mattson reflected that she was once a Student Member at FIRE, and now serving in leadership with NYAM’s Section on Social Work. “Becoming a NYAM Fellow opens doors. (FIRE) is about growth, mentorship, and community,” she explained.
Registration is free of charge, and there is still space available. We hope you’ll join us for an evening that will empower healthier, longer lives for all.
About New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM)
NYAM is a leading voice for innovation in population health. With over 179 years of history, we are committed to a future where everyone has what they need for a healthier, longer life. Guided by the expertise of nearly 2,000 Fellows, a world-class historical medical library, and its convening, capacity-building and community-informed research, New York Academy of Medicine creates actionable solutions to today’s most pressing health challenges. To learn more, visit www.nyam.org.
New York, NY (April 16, 2026)—New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) is providing a rare opportunity to learn from and collaborate with two types of medical professionals at the same event. Join us on Monday, April 20, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., to view presentations from resident physicians and nursing students. The presenters whose submissions are outstanding will merit receiving NYAM awards for their efforts.
Our Pediatric Clinicians-In-Training Research Night is hosted by the NYAM Section on Pediatrics. Christina Mattson, clinical program manager at the Mount Sinai World Trade Center Clinical Center of Excellence and NYAM Fellow, expressed excitement leading into research night.
“This year’s event offers a meaningful glimpse into the future of nursing in the tri-state area, highlighting the work, ideas, and direction of emerging nurse leaders,” Ms. Mattson said, who is also a Doctor of Nursing Practice candidate at Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing, with a focus on advancing population health outcomes through evidence-based practice. “Attendees will gain valuable opportunities to expand their professional network, strengthen collaborative relationships, learn about current research from their peers, and engage in meaningful dialogue around advances in nursing.”
Historically, research night involves 15-25 presentations. They range from topics like pediatric obesity to stroke evaluation protocols. Carla McNulty, certified oncology nurse practitioner at Montefiore Medical Center and NYAM Student Member pursuing a PhD in nursing at Pace University, added that attendees can expect to feel inspired by advances in nursing science.
Registration is free of charge, and there is still space available. We hope you’ll join us for an evening that will empower healthier, longer lives for all.
About New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM)
NYAM is a leading voice for innovation in population health. With over 179 years of history, we are committed to a future where everyone has what they need for a healthier, longer life. Guided by the expertise of nearly 2,000 Fellows, a world-class historical medical library, and its convening, capacity-building and community-informed research, New York Academy of Medicine creates actionable solutions to today’s most pressing health challenges. To learn more, visit www.nyam.org.
New York, NY (March 19, 2025)—New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) is proud to host our 17th Annual Social Work Student Night, sponsored by our Social Work Section. On Monday, March 23, from 5:30-8:00 p.m., Students from various universities in the greater New York City area will deliver poster presentations and engaging oral presentations.
“We are very excited to recognize and publicize outstanding social work graduate school students who are passionate about healthcare-related practice, research, and education,” explained Connor Bellis, director of the Fellows program at NYAM. “If you’re a social work student, faculty member, dean, director, NYAM Fellow, or you’re simply interested in learning from rising stars in social work, we’d love for you to attend.”
Each participating school has selected one current graduate student to represent their program, deliver their presentation, and engage with their peers from other visiting institutions. All presenting students will earn a certificate of recognition.
At NYAM, we stand on the knowledge accumulated over our rich history while understanding that what we do in the present propels progress of the future. That is why events such as Social Work Student Night are so profound: to provide an opportunity for growth and networking among tomorrow’s leaders in a pivotal health profession. Thank you to all who make this night possible, and for all who will attend, for helping us to empower healthier, longer lives for all.
About New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM)
Founded in 1847 and based in New York City, NYAM is a leading voice for health equity, innovative research, and strategic partnership. Through a community of nearly 2,000 Fellows and a legacy spanning more than 178 years, NYAM works to ensure that all people (regardless of background or circumstance) have what they need to live healthier, longer lives. For more information, visit nyam.org.
New York, NY (February 19, 2026)—New York Academy of Medicine’s Social Work Section is proud to share a two-part event focused on a niche aspect of an ever-evolving technology: social work ethics and professional boundaries as they relate to AI. The two-part event will be virtual, free of charge, and will take place on Monday, February 23, and Monday, March 2, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. EST. If you’d like to attend, please click on this registration link.
The first event will center around core ethical principles, professional boundaries, and emerging challenges related to AI and technology in social work practice. It will be co-led by Frederic G. Reamer, PhD, Professor Emeritus at Rhode Island College, and Alicia Tennenbaum, LCSW, vice president, Case Management at Med-Metrix. Dr. Reamer’s work has centered around ethics, criminal justice, health care, and public policy for over 40 years. Tennenbaum has held a leadership position as a licensed New York state social worker for more than two decades.
Connor Bellis, director of the Fellows Program at New York Academy of Medicine, said that this two-part virtual series tackles a hot-button topic at a critical time.
“Social work is no different than other health professions: it’s undergoing changes and modifications at breakneck speed due to a variety of factors including AI,” he explained. “AI is a fluid space that can appear to be evolving faster than many people can understand it. I think these virtual sessions will lay out the ethical implications of this still-maturing technology, which can benefit crucial for social workers and their institutions so they can continue to provide critical care.”
The second session will focus on ethical frameworks, professional accountability, and policy considerations in AI-informed practice settings. This event will be co-led by Nancy Berlinger, PhD, senior research scholar at The Hastings Center for Bioethics, and Eric Levine, DSW, LMSW, Chair, NASW–NY Ethics Committee and director, Social Work Alumni Engagement and Financial Resource Development at Touro University. Dr. Berlinger’s research examines social and ethical issues caused by an aging population, smaller family units, and longer lifespans. Dr. Levine teaches two social work-related courses at Touro University and is the co-editor of three books and several other publications.
Three continuing education units are available for those who attend both sessions through the Helen Rehr Center. Please contact [email protected] for CEU registration and details. You can reach out to Connor Bellis at [email protected] with any questions about the two virtual events. Thank you for your interest and advocacy that helps us empower healthier, longer lives for all.
The Academy Awards are roughly a month away, but on Wednesday, February 11, guests at New York Academy of Medicine viewed a unique documentary that has made the rounds on the film circuit. The screening, panel discussion, and question-and-answer session were a part of an event titled ‘Narrative Health in Action: Food Allergies Through the Lens of Lived Experience,’ coordinated alongside the Food Allergy Nursing Association (FANA) and Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE). The evening brought together a collection of health professionals, educators, and others curious to learn more about raising awareness and advocating on behalf of individuals and families impacted by food allergies.
“This documentary we’re about to watch, A World Unaware: When Every Bite Matters, brings forward emotional, physical, and policy-related realities that shape this condition,” Olga Kagan, PhD, RN, FAAAAI, FHIMSS, FIEL, Chair, New York Academy of Medicine Nursing Section officer and president of FANA, said during opening remarks. “As clinicians and allergy advocates, we know that understanding these stories is essential, and strengthens our communication, peer coordination, and our ability to support patients in ways that truly matter.”
Two of the 33 Million American Food Allergy Stories
A World Unaware: Where Every Bite Matters focuses on two young men and their harrowing experiences with food allergies. Matthew Briden, while on a first date in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, ate a burger that had been cross-contaminated, which had a disastrous effect given his food allergies. He was hospitalized after consuming the burger and tragically died in the hospital. Matthew was just 28 years old. His mother, Kathy Briden, has become a staunch food allergy advocate. She has met with Pennsylvania legislators at the state capital in Harrisburg to raise awareness and pass proactive legislation to prevent similar tragedies from befalling more families.
Briden was unable to attend ‘Narrative Health in Action: Food Allergies Through the Lens of Lived Experience,’ but she communicated with prepared statements. She expressed that the family might never know what actually happened to Matthew, but that his care was delayed in the emergency room.
“The attending doctor was killed two weeks after Matthew died in a car accident, so I couldn’t talk to him. I talked to a bunch of doctors. They all questioned if he or staff, knew, understood, and are trained for non-operations related anaphylaxis,” one of Briden’s texts read. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention, or it could become fatal, as it tragically did in Matthew’s case. “Our job is to determine lack of standards of care, not to educate, but they all said it opened their eyes. Makes me sick. We all have to work together to change this.”
The other young man featured in the documentary is Carter Mannon of Austin, Texas. The high school student, at the age of 15, was the victim of an alleged cruel prank by former football teammates that caused him to have a sudden allergic reaction. According to Connor, after disclosing the severity of his peanut, tree nut, and shellfish allergy to his peers, they dumped peanuts in his locker, which contained his football equipment. He would recover from this incident, but his mother expressed anger over the inaction of the education and law enforcement authorities.
“In the Texas education code, ‘bullying’ is defined as an act or pattern of acts that physically harms a student. His police department did not press criminal charges. If that’s the case, then we need to change the definition of bullying, because this is far beyond bullying. This is, in my mind, was attempted murder; this could have cost him his life,” Shawna Mannon passionately explained while looking into the camera mid-documentary. “If the peanuts were slightly in a different place, if they were on his mouthpiece, if they were on his water bottle, which was right there in this locker… It would have been a death sentence for him.” Mannon elaborated that her son’s former high school and some of Carter’s teammates’ parents were either apathetic or outright hostile towards the family’s efforts to get answers and accountability after his allergy attack.
The statistics around food allergies paint a picture the public likely doesn’t know. Roughly one in 10 people living in the U.S. has a food allergy. According to A World Unaware: When Every Bite Matters, about a third of kids with food allergies claim to be bullying victims because of this health risk. Furthermore, every 10 seconds, a food allergy reaction sends someone to the emergency room.
However, the power behind the documentary were the emotive stories shared by the Briden and Mannon families. These stories aren’t isolated events, and personal experiences drove much of the panel’s post-documentary conversation.
How to Advocate for People with Allergies in Your Community
New York Academy of Medicine was fortunate to have an incredible panel for a post-documentary discussion.
Moderator:
Jeremy A. Abbate
Vice President and Publisher of Scientific American
Panelists:
Sung Poblete, RN, PhD, CEO of Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE)
Susan Kelly, RN, BSN, Food Allergy Nursing Association (FANA) Founding Member and Nurse Manager at Happy and Healthy Pediatrics
Anna Nowak-Wegrzyn, MD, PhD, director of the Pediatric Allergy Program at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone
Susan Kelly, who shared the story of how she discovered her daughter’s peanut allergy, told the audience that positive change for people with food allergies can start locally.
“You find your leaders in your community, in your neighborhood, in your church, and your village hall, you go down and you speak about (food allergy advocacy),” Kelly explained during the panel while sharing the story of how she helped rally local advocates and legislators on Long Island to affect change. She also said there is a place for nurses who specialize in food allergy education, the same way there are nurses who are diabetes educators. “We need this role to educate and care. Physicians don’t have enough time. There’s a huge gap in the hospital setting, in the healthcare setting.”
The other panelists agreed with Kelly’s perspective and offered their own, as well. Dr. Nowak-Wegryzn established that medical students and clinicians aren’t taught about food allergy identification and treatment early in their schooling and training. After establishing this knowledge gap across the medical profession regarding food allergies, Dr. Nowak-Wegryzn introduced a thought-provoking hypothetical.
“Imagine you are allergic to milk. Do you remember what you had for breakfast today? It’s the same with peanuts,” she emphasized. “People with allergies need to be on their toes every minute of their lives.”
Dr. Poblete, who lives with a life-threatening food allergy, spoke from experience and verified the sentiments of the other panelists and attendees. She pivoted off Dr. Nowak-Wegrzyn’s hypothetical with an intriguing one of her own: having family and friends avoid the food allergy of a loved one for 24 hours. Dr. Poblete also passionately advocated for federal lawmakers to act on behalf of individuals and families impacted by the invisible threat of food allergies.
“If we look at data, the prevalence (over the past) 10 years, we see a drastic increase in adult onset, about 40%,” she elaborated. “We need to rally so our voice is loud: one voice of (millions) of Americans. We need brilliant scientists like (Dr. Nowak-Wegryzn) who can figure out the mechanisms and better treatment options so that we can get a cure for the allergies.”
The Importance of Community Health Events
New York Academy of Medicine is proud to offer events like ‘Narrative Health in Action: Food Allergies Through the Lens of Lived Experience,’ that engage and educate our audiences about underdiscussed topics like the consequences of food allergies. The panel discussed how it is difficult to say how many people in the U.S. die from food allergy reactions annually because doctors and medical institutions could denote their fatalities as caused by ‘cardiac arrest’ or another traumatic event caused by the allergy.
A complex issue like food allergies deserves a multipronged and intentional action plan: across the medical healthcare system, government legislative bodies, the business community, and within us as accountable individuals addressing a neglected health issue in our society. Our cohort of fellows, members, institutional partners, and attendees help raise awareness and drive real progress. We hope to see you at one of our next events where passion, curiosity, and proactive advocacy drive healthier, longer lives for all.
New York, NY (January 28, 2026)—New York Academy of Medicine is pleased to host a screening of “A World Unaware: When Every Bite Matters,” on Wednesday, February 11, from 5:30-7:30 P.M. The documentary, which centers around many of the challenges faced by people who are managing food allergies, is currently making the rounds at film festivals. This screening will be held in collaboration with the Food Allergy Nursing Association (FANA) and Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE).
Opening remarks will be conducted by Olga Kagan, PhD, RN, FAAAAI, FHIMSS, FIEL, Chair, New York Academy of Medicine Nursing Section and president of FANA. Dr. Kagan expressed this will be an evening of collaboration and exchanging knowledge to advance health outcomes.
“This collaborative event will center lived experience alongside clinical practice, offering nurses and healthcare professionals deeper insight into the realities of food allergies,” she told New York Academy of Medicine. “By uniting advocacy, nursing expertise, and public health leadership, the program will promote compassionate, patient-centered, and informed care.”
The film itself tries to sharpen healthcare professionals’ understanding of the many challenges, from physical ailments to policy hurdles, that food allergy-affected individuals and families face. After the screening, there will be a conversational panel discussion led by Jeremy A. Abbate, the Vice President and Publisher of Scientific American. The panelists will include:
Sung Poblete, RN, PhD, CEO of Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE)
Kathy Briden, Parent and Allergy Policy Advocate
Susan Kelly, RN, BSN, Food Allergy Nursing Association (FANA) Founding Member and Nurse Manager at Happy and Healthy Pediatrics
Anna Nowak-Wegrzyn, MD, PhD, Allergist at NYU
Following this robust roundtable, there will be a brief question and answer session.
“The Fellows department is committed to elevating the voices and lived experiences that shape health and healthcare,” said Connor Bellis, director of the Fellows Program at New York Academy of Medicine.” We are excited to see the Nursing Section partnering with organizations like the Food Allergy Nursing Association and Food Allergy Research & Education to bring this important work to life and center the experiences of patients, families, and communities.”
Registration is still open, and the event is free to attend. If you have any questions about the screening, please reach out to Connor Bellis via email or at 212-822-7307.
About New York Academy of Medicine
New York Academy of Medicine is a leading voice for innovation in population health. With over 179 years of history, we are committed to a future where everyone has what they need for a healthier, longer life. Guided by the expertise of nearly 2,000 Fellows, a world-class historical medical library, and its convening, capacity-building and community-informed research, New York Academy of Medicine creates actionable solutions to today’s most pressing health challenges. To learn more, visit www.nyam.org.
New York, NY (October 23, 2025) – New York Academy of Medicine hosted its 30th annual gala on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. Nearly 250 people in attendance gathered in the organization’s historic library to honor three healthcare champions and to unite behind one unified purpose: healthier, longer lives for all.
Kristine Johnson, an Emmy-award winning CBS News New York anchor and TV news journalist, hosted the gala for the first time. Johnson welcomed all in attendance with her signature conversational style, charm, and warmth.
“Your presence here tonight is a testament to your compassion and your commitment to our shared mission,” Johnson said during her opening remarks. “Tonight, we stand together, united by a shared goal of healthier, longer lives for everyone. It’s not just an aspiration; it’s a responsibility we all embrace together.”
Johnson welcomed Ann Kurth, PhD, CNM, MPH, New York Academy of Medicine president, who spoke passionately about the nonprofit’s mission and exciting work on the horizon. Dr. Kurth emphasized that New York Academy of Medicine is both a long-standing and forward-looking institution.
“From pioneering public health and sanitation, from transforming safer childbirth, and accessible vaccine programs, to tackling the urgent challenges of a warming climate, we have consistently stood at the forefront of progress,” she explained. “By keeping our eyes on the future, we turn the possibility of healthier, longer lives into a reality for our fellow New Yorkers and for communities around the globe.”
Each of New York Academy of Medicine’s three annual awards were given to deserving health equity advocates at the annual gala. The first award, the Healthcare Legacy award, was given to John ‘Jack’ W. Rowe, MD, Julius B. Richmond Professor of Health Policy and Aging, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Johnson asked Dr. Rowe to talk in depth about the term ‘successful aging’ that he coined in 1987. He is a subject matter expert regarding addressing health outcomes in older adults.
“At any given age, say 65, with advances in the prevention of disease and in treatment, the portion of remaining life going forward would be more healthy and less disabled. That’s the optimistic vision,” he elaborated before providing important nuance. “We now have emerging evidence that it’s only happening for people in higher socioeconomic groups.”
The Bold and Brave award was given next to Tom Wright, president and CEO of Regional Plan Association (RPA), in recognition for his innovative urban planning work and advocacy. Wright spoke about some of the challenges and opportunities in creating more livable cities for all, and the effect that urban planning has on health outcomes. He talked about the potential successes of congestion pricing, including health outcomes.
“Traffic fatalities in New York City are down by about a third this year,” Wright emphasized, referencing data on the first six months of this year compared to the previous one, and noting that air quality comparisons will be another measure to watch.
The evening’s final honor, the Health Equity Champion Award, was given to Pat Wang, president and CEO of Healthfirst, who has worked tirelessly in support of high-quality, equitable care. Wang spoke about the pressing need to focus on providing dignified care for vulnerable populations.
“We all are driven by personal experience, and health is personal,” she explained. “When you start from that premise of doing a good thing for communities and people who are uninsured, the question is ‘What’s next? What do we do to make sure that people have the experience and the care they want?’”
Each awardee shared a unique message and perspective, yet all emphatically spoke in alignment with New York Academy of Medicine’s mission to create healthier, longer lives for all. The Academy is grateful to Kristine Johnson for being a gracious emcee, to our three honorees for sharing their knowledge and advice, and for all in attendance for their time, generosity, and for building a forward-looking health advocacy community alongside us.
About New York Academy of Medicine
New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) is a leading voice for innovation in population health. With over 178 years of history, NYAM is committed to a future where everyone has what they need for a healthier, longer life. Guided by the expertise of its 1,800 Fellows, a world-class historical medical library, and its convening, capacity-building and community-informed research, NYAM creates actionable solutions to today’s most pressing health challenges. To learn more, visit www.nyam.org.
Media Contact:
Max Mallet
Marketing Content Manager
[email protected]
212-822-7314
New York, NY (October 17, 2025) — New York Academy of Medicine is proud to announce its upcoming 30th annual gala to celebrate health luminaries and to empower healthier, longer lives for all. The gala will take place on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, from 6:00-9:00 P.M., at the Academy’s home on Museum Mile.
“This year’s gala is significant for many reasons, among them being the celebration of the 100th anniversary of New York Academy of Medicine opening the doors of our beautiful building on Fifth Avenue,” President Ann Kurth, PhD, CNM, MPH, said. “We are excited and proud to bring our community together in our historical library to honor three exemplary leaders, innovators, and friends of New York Academy of Medicine.”
This year’s honorees are:
- John ‘Jack’ W. Rowe, MD, Julius B. Richmond Professor of Health Policy and Aging, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, will be honored with this year’s Healthcare Legacy award. Dr. Rowe is a pioneering researcher whose knowledge of health systems and the healthcare industry has benefited New Yorkers and older adults nationwide.
- Tom Wright, president and CEO of Regional Plan Association (RPA), will be bestowed with this year’s Bold and Brave Award. Wright has passionately worked to address climate change and advocated for affordable, livable communities in the greater New York City region.
- Pat Wang, president and CEO of Healthfirst, will receive this year’s Health Equity Champion Award. Wang has demonstrated proactive leadership and unwavering support towards quality and equitable care for all. She has emphasized focusing on those who experience healthcare disparities.
This year, New York Academy of Medicine will welcome a new emcee, Kristine Johnson, anchor and TV news journalist for CBS News New York.
“New York Academy of Medicine is grateful to have Kristine Johnson, a multi-Emmy award-winning journalist, lend her talents to our annual gala,” Dr. Kurth elaborated. “She’s a familiar face and voice that New Yorkers trust. With her enthusiasm and insightfulness, she will bring so much life to our program. We are thrilled to welcome her to the Academy for the first time.”
Click here to learn more about this year’s annual gala. Thank you for your generous support that helps us empower healthier, longer lives, for all.
About New York Academy of Medicine
New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) is a leading voice for innovation in population health. With over 178 years of history, NYAM is committed to a future that where everyone has what they need for a healthier, longer life. Guided by the expertise of its 1,800 Fellows, a world-class historical medical library, and its renowned research efforts, NYAM creates actionable solutions to today’s most pressing health challenges. To learn more, visit www.nyam.org.
Media Contact:
Max Mallet
Marketing Content Manager
[email protected]
212-822-7314
New York, NY (February 6, 2024)– The New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM), an innovator in public health for more than 176 years, launches its first initiative in a multiyear plan to help build more resilient health systems in the era of climate change.
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare and public health systems have confronted unprecedented and co-occurring challenges. Like the rest of the nation, New York’s workforce lost health workers to burnout, with communities at risk of new threats. Canadian wildfires in June 2023 spread pollutants that doubled New York City’s asthma-related emergency room visits. Record flooding in late September impacted NYC’s public and hospital systems.
“Our systems are reeling from workforce shortages, financial stresses, and a climate crisis impact that will only increase,” said NYAM President Dr. Ann Kurth. “The time is now to reimagine health and reorient healthcare to better support systems, workers, and communities. Working together to build more resilient systems that can recover from disasters and prepare us for new stressors will be key in creating a healthier and more equitable future for all. We firmly believe New Yorkers can lead the way,” she added.
Designing Health Systems Resilience, a full-day event at NYAM on Monday, February 26, will feature outstanding health industry leaders, including Jonathan B. Perlin, President and CEO of The Joint Commission, Vivian Lee, of Harvard Business School, and Jodi Sherman, Chair, Lancet Commission on Healthcare Sustainability, alongside other prominent national and New York health-industry leaders, including Ashwin Vasan, Commissioner, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Rohit T. “Rit” Aggarwala, New York City’s Chief Climate Officer and Commissioner, New York City Department of Environmental Protection, and Peggy Shepard, Co-founder and Executive Director, WE ACT for Environmental Justice. Discussion topics will include system adaptation, empowering next-generation change-makers, community advocacy, and resilience data and tracking.
NYAM’s Designing Health Systems Resilience program will begin to establish a community of practice among health executives, public health officials, payers, and policy-makers as a first step toward building a “Roadmap to Resilience,” providing recommendations for programming and partnerships to support healthcare and public health system resilience across New York. Recommendations will be published as a special section in NYAM’s Journal of Urban Health.
Designing Health Systems Resilience is made possible by the generosity of our sponsors, including the Commonwealth Fund, Mount Sinai Health System, Netflix, and Northwell Health, and our media partner City & State New York.
Future phases of NYAM’s work with public health and health systems will explore support of resilience strategies and assessment for impact, sustainability, and potential for broader replication.
To learn more about Designing Health Systems Resilience and to register, visit NYAM.org/resilience.
About The New York Academy of Medicine
The New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) is a leading voice for innovation in public health. Throughout its 176-year history, NYAM has uniquely championed bold changes to the systems that perpetuate health inequities and keep all communities from achieving good health. Today, this work includes innovative research, programs, and policy initiatives that distinctively value community input for maximum impact. Combined with NYAM’s trusted programming and historic Library, and with the support of nearly 2,000 esteemed Fellows and Members, NYAM’s impact as a health leader continues.
To learn more, visit www.nyam.org and follow @NYAMNYC on social media.