Health Foundation for Western and Central New York

06/18/2026

📣 Don't miss your chance! Applications for Health Leadership Fellows Cohort 13 are being accepted until June 30.

This is your opportunity to join a diverse network of collaborative leaders with organizations and systems that serve young children and older adults in western and central New York.

If you’re a leader from a health or social care organization that serves young children and older adults, especially one that serves an under-resourced community, we encourage you to apply!

Application 🔗‍️ https://hfwcny.org/health-leadership-fellows-application/?mc_cid=3f961853dd&mc_eid=395045e1b8

**Why apply?**

The Health Leadership Fellows program is an 18-month journey designed for experienced leaders ready to move beyond organizational silos and drive systemic change.

This program does not focus on technical “how-to” management; instead, it empowers senior leaders to master systems navigation, strategic influence, and collective contribution.

**Who should apply?**

We are seeking senior leaders with a minimum of 7 years of professional experience, with at least 3 of those years in a senior or executive role.

Please read the full application (linked above) to understand the requirements and expectations of this comprehensive program.

📆 Key Dates
• Application Deadline: June 30, 2026
• Program Timeline: June 2027 – November 2028

06/15/2026

Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

Elder abuse is not always easily recognized and can be hard to talk about, but together, we can raise awareness of this prevalent issue and help older adults and families find the resources they need. Thank you to our partners like Center for Elder Law & Justice for their ongoing advocacy on behalf of older adults.

Every older adult deserves to age with dignity, respect, and safety. This World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, we stand together to raise awareness, challenge ageism, and help prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation. By learning the signs and speaking up, we can create safer communities for older adults. 💜

Join us for a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day press conference today, June 15, at 1:00 p.m. outside the Chautauqua County Courthouse in Mayville as we come together to raise awareness and advocate for an end to elder abuse and ageism.

06/12/2026

"We learned very early that health equity wasn't just one program. It was housing, food, employment, mental health, stress, love, and dignity." -

Gladys Vega, President and CEO, La Colaborativa.

This week, our team had the privilege of learning together at Grantmakers In Health's annual conference in Baltimore, MD. This year's theme of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Health spoke to how we must meet the urgent issues faced by our community and our nonprofit partners at this moment, and how we can work together to imagine an even stronger, healthier future.

Thank you to our national colleagues who shared their expertise and knowledge and affirmed that collaboration, communication, equity, and solidarity are essential values for the way forward.

Pictured: Foundation peers from across New York State gathered for a group photo; leaders from Baltimore's Black Butterfly Farm talk about food equity; Dr. Cara James, President of GIH, is joined by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi and Dr. Richard Besser in the opening plenary; Joanne Kenen, an expert in the importance of information access in health, discusses journalism as part of the health ecosystem; and an inspiring quote from Gladys Vega of La Colaborativa, honoree of the 2026 Andy Hyman Award for Advocacy.

06/10/2026

💥Ready to help solve your community’s toughest health care and social care challenges?💥

There's still time to apply for Health Leadership Fellows Cohort 13!

Join a diverse network of collaborative leaders focused on systems change in western and central New York. Leaders of health and social care organizations serving young children and older adults, especially those in under-resourced communities, are encouraged to apply.

📅 Deadline: June 30, 2026

For more info and to start your application, click here: 🔗 https://hfwcny.org/health-leadership-fellows-application/

Know anyone who might be a good fit? Please share!

06/02/2026

Each year we sponsor a group of journalists to serve as Fellows of the Association of Health Care Journalists (AHCJ). This year we’re proud to sponsor Antonio Flores-Lobos of Radio Kingston, Debadrita Sur of Central Current, Emyle Watkins of BTPM NPR, I’Jaz Ja’ciel of BTPM NPR, and Tracey Drury of Buffalo Business First. The five AHCJ Fellows are seen here at the 2026 Health Journalism Conference, which was held in Minneapolis.

AHCJ focuses on the human impact of health care policy through in-depth storytelling and accurate, contextualized reporting. We appreciate all the journalists who untangle the complex issues driving health care trends and policy decisions—so we can make informed choices and keep advocating for progress.

05/29/2026

Changes to Medicaid eligibility and new paperwork requirements are coming in January 2027, and hundreds of thousands of people in western and central New York are at risk of losing coverage. Fewer New Yorkers with health insurance will mean sicker people, higher costs, bigger crowds at the emergency room, and new financial strain on safety net providers.

We were proud to support this convening by Community Action Organization of Western New York to bring nonprofit and health care leaders together. Approximately 200 people attended to share information and begin discussing plans on how to inform the community of these changes and keep more people covered.

You can view the recording at the YouTube link in their post.

On May 8, 2026, Community Action Organization of WNY convened Conversation on Looming Medicaid Cuts at BTPM Studios in Buffalo, NY.The event brought together...

05/28/2026

Thanks to a new partnership, graduates of our Health Leadership Fellows program are eligible to receive six credits toward Leadership & Innovation MS at Daemen University. Check out an upcoming info session to find out more!

Learn about the program here: https://www.daemen.edu/academics/college-health-human-sciences-business/leadership-and-innovation

05/21/2026

🎉Congratulations to the 2026 Health Journalism Fellows! 🎉

More than 60 journalists from across the country will gather in Minneapolis next week for the annual Health Journalism Conference, hosted by the Association of Health Care Journalists.

The Health Foundation is proud to sponsor five Health Journalism Fellows from New York State: Tracey Drury of Buffalo Business First, I’Jaz Ja’ciel of BTPM NPR, Antonio Flores-Lobos of Radio Kingston, Debadrita Sur of Central Current, and Emyle Watkins of BTPM NPR.

We value accurate and contextualized health care reporting. By breaking down complex issues, journalists educate the public and hold the health system accountable to the communities it serves.

Click on the image to read about all of the 2026 Health Journalism Fellows!
https://healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/05/meet-the-2026-health-journalism-fellows/

This year, more than 60 fellows will receive registration, travel support and lodging to attend the Health Journalism 2026 conference in Minneapolis, Minn., May 27-30.

05/21/2026

“When a child isn’t sitting up, walking or talking when expected, time is of the essence. The earlier therapies begin, the better the outcome.”

In a recent op-ed for The Buffalo News, two pediatricians, Dr. Dennis K. Zuo and Dr. Megan Tracy, explain why investing in Early Intervention (EI) services can make an enormous difference in the development and overall health of a child.

🎁To read the op-ed, use this gift link:
https://buffalonews.com/opinion/article_a298b55a-a2e7-4653-a9d1-a76042eaba81.html?gift=1&gift_token=e2a11e75-8401-4338-9c2e-be72630ee2e9

A shout-out to our community partner, Liftoff WNY, and the Onboard volunteers who continue to advocate for New York's Early Intervention Program!

05/19/2026

✨Missed our information sessions?✨

🔊You can listen to a recording of the April 30 session here: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/6Tkf_RHybo1TeIX40gZCc2TUwBAtS8JGzysAIRLm2zSHZpw4kKdLWbb0RrVIwc0JjR_IWbmOgpV-7eqi.q0pqTu-hy5L3bvf1?eagerLoadZvaPages=sidemenu.billing.plan_management&accessLevel=meeting&canPlayFromShare=true&from=share_recording_detail&continueMode=true&oldStyle=true&componentName=rec-play&originRequestUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fus02web.zoom.us%2Frec%2Fshare%2Fnaii7OpxnPUNxZVs7urCeV-X4MEUL47rGQ-GvXPQMVGDAy2V61sQOnocLph3X-jf.EtORpjgBA5Rbb4iX&mc_cid=713df54567&mc_eid=395045e1b8

💻Applications for **Health Leadership Fellows Cohort 13** are being accepted until June 30.

In an increasingly complex health landscape, traditional management alone is no longer sufficient to address the persistent challenges facing young children and older adults impacted by poverty.

The Health Leadership Fellows program is a competitive 18-month journey designed for experienced leaders ready to move beyond organizational silos and drive systemic change.

This program does not focus on technical “how-to” management; instead, it empowers senior leaders to master systems navigation, strategic influence, and collective contribution. Learn more and start your application: https://hfwcny.org/health-leadership-fellows-application/?mc_cid=713df54567&mc_eid=395045e1b8

💥 Know anyone who might be a good fit for the Fellows program? Please share! 💥