UB - Community Connections to Improve Refugee Health and Wellbeing

Co-sponsored by the University at Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professions, Office of Global Health Initiatives and the Community for Global Health Equity

The Annual Western New York (WNY) Refugee Health Summit unites clinicians, resettlement representatives, community health workers, researchers, students, municipal leaders, and refugees to highlight innovative university-community partnerships that have resulted in research, programming, and solutions to improve health and wellbeing for refugees living in Buffalo and Western New York.

Planning for the 2021 WNY Refugee Health Summit will begin in January 2021. If you are interested in being involved, please email Jessica Scates at jmscates@buffalo.edu.

The annual WNY Refugee Health Summit is co-sponsored by the University at Buffalo’s Community of Excellence in Global Health Equity and School of Public Health and Health Professions’ Office of Global Health Initiatives.

Previous Summits

6th Annual WNY Refugee Health Summit
9/21/20
Co-sponsored by the University at Buffalo’s Community for Global Health Equity and School of Public Health and Health Professions’ Office of Global Health Initiatives, the annual Refugee Health Summit unites clinicians, resettlement representatives, community health workers, researchers, students, municipal leaders, and refugees. The 5 Annual WNY Refugee Health Summit will highlight the innovative university-community partnerships that have resulted in research, programming, and solutions to improve health and wellbeing for refugees.
5th Annual WNY Refugee Health Summit
9/21/20
Buffalo is among the top locations for refugee resettlement in the United States. Coming from countries such as Afghanistan, Burma, Iraq, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, and Syria, refugees add to the diversity of Buffalo’s neighborhoods, schools, and businesses. Refugee and immigrant populations contribute to population growth, high rates of workforce participation, large tax contributions, and spending power.

4th Annual WNY Refugee Health Summit

3rd Annual WNY Refugee Health Summit.pdf

2nd Annual WNY Refugee Health Summit.pdf

1st Annual WNY Refugee Health Summit.pdf

WNY Refugee Health Summit in the News

UB hosting 5th annual Refugee Health Summit on April 20
4/18/18
Summit aims to improve access to culturally and linguistically appropriate services, efficient clinic and transportation systems and operations, and available economic opportunities.
Refugee health topic of summit
4/25/17
Speakers and workshop sessions addressed the theme of improving health literacy for Buffalo’s refugee population.
Media Advisory: WNY Refugee Health Summit is Friday at UB's Educational Opportunity Center
4/19/17
Annual summit convenes scholars, resettlement agencies, service providers, community support centers, municipal agencies and refugees to explore barriers and solutions to promote culturally engaged health care for refugees in Buffalo.
Global health equity is focus of events
3/31/17
Refugee Health Summit and Global Innovation Challenge highlight offerings organized by two global-focused offices at UB.
Media Advisory: U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power to host town hall Tuesday at the University at Buffalo
11/21/16
She will discuss the work of the U.S. government to address the global refugee crisis and the efforts of cities like Buffalo to welcome refugees.
UB projects aim to help refugees locally and globally
3/31/16
From refugee housing plans to help spur economic development on Buffalo’s East Side, to a health summit and a symposium, UB faculty and students are actively engaged in refugee efforts.
Media Advisory: UB to hold Refugee Health Summit this Saturday
3/30/16
Issam Smeir is the keynote speaker for UB's third annual Refugee Health Summit, which runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 2, at the Arthur O. Eve Educational Opportunity Center, 555 Ellicott St., Buffalo.
Health Summit helps in understanding the refugee experience in Buffalo
6/22/20
UB Refugee Health Summit to address barriers to care
4/7/15
The event is part of the School of Public Health and Health Professions' celebration of National Public Health Week.
UB celebrates National Public Health Week 2015
4/1/15
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The University at Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professions (SPHHP) will recognize National Public Health Week April 3-12 with a series of events that highlight and celebrate public health efforts locally and globally.
Refugee Health Summit 2014 to harness power of university-community partnerships to address refugee needs
4/18/14
Every year, 1,500 to 2,000 refugees and asylum-seekers come to Buffalo, one of the top refugee resettlement areas in the United States, driven by social and political upheaval, war, economic and agricultural distress, and poverty. To explore these challenges and develop models for exemplary refugee health care systems, the University at Buffalo will sponsor Buffalo’s first collaborative Refugee Health Summit 2014 on April 24.