Meeting Updates
On May 14, 2009, the Foundation hosted its spring Community Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting and a Regional Leadership Forum in Buffalo, New York. At the afternoon leadership forum, NYSHealth, CAC members, and community leaders heard from Kathryn Foster, Director of the University of Buffalo Regional Institute, who provided an overview of the history of Buffalo and the health care of the region.
Dr. Foster described the diverse demographics of the 1.5 million Western New Yorkers, and the region’s strengths and assets. She also discussed how social and environmental conditions—including poverty and abandoned infrastructure—indirectly impact poor health outcomes in pockets of the western region. Her presentation highlighted that while leadership is strong, greater representation is needed at the State and national levels to address the needs of these communities. Despite the region’s challenges, Dr. Foster reminded us that Western New York has historically succeeded under adversity.
