Kruger honored with National Academies of Practice fellowship

Jessica Kruger, clinical associate professor in the Department of Community Health and Health Behavior and director for teaching innovation and excellence in the School of Public Health and Health Professions, has been named a Distinguished Fellow of the Public Health Academy of the National Academies of Practice.

This prestigious honor recognizes individuals who exemplify leadership and outstanding achievements within their profession and interprofessional care. Recipients have been recognized by their distinguished peers as having made significant contributions to their profession.

The National Academies of Practice was founded in 1981 to connect an interdisciplinary body of health care practitioners who work together to improve the health of Americans. NAP represents 18 interdisciplinary academies of health care practitioners, including the Public Health Academy.

Kruger has worked to influence interprofessional collaboration in health care settings. She is vice chair of the board of directors for the Society of Student-Run Clinics, focusing on increasing interprofessional collaboration in free clinics around the country. She also serves as a member of the leadership team of UB’s Office of Interprofessional Education, which develops and implements Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice initiatives at the university. Kruger takes part in interprofessional collaboration firsthand, collaborating with a wide variety of community-based organizations and advising students at the Lighthouse Free Medical Clinic and the Seneca-Babcock Community Center.

In 2021, Kruger was named a SUNY Online Ambassador in recognition of her effective online teaching and advocacy for online teaching in the SUNY community.

She also more recently received the Early-Career Teaching Excellence Award from the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health.