Gamma Lambda Chapter of the Delta Omega Honorary Society: Honoring Public Health Achievement

Dr. Arthur Michalek is the chapter's 2023 Honorary Delta Omega inductee, recognized for establishing public health programs throughout Western New York that have been training the workforce for decades. Art’s involvement with the School of Public Health and Health Professions predates its very existence. In the early 1990s, with the support of UB President Greiner, he negotiated an affiliation with the University at Albany School of Public Health to establish a branch here in Buffalo for the benefit of clinical trainees. Work soon began on the development of the school. In addition to breaking public health ground at UB, he spent over three decades at the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center where he was best known for his administrative skills, retiring as a senior vice president and dean of the UB Graduate Division.

Throughout his career Art maintained an active interest in research oriented towards public health. He has published numerous articles on cancer issues affecting Native American communities, worked on a number of specific projects with different tribal groups and was a founding member of several national and international task forces. He also led the Ukrainian component of a three-country study investigating the impact of the Chernobyl nuclear power accident and risk of acute leukemias. Art has served as an advisor/mentor in several international training programs in Nigeria, Sudan, Egypt and Oman. He has also been a Fulbright Specialist in Poland teaching at Wroclaw Medical School. Throughout his administrative and research activities he was an active mentor to numerous master’s and doctoral students who have gone on to highly successful careers.

Upon his retirement he continued to be active in the academic community, leading public health training efforts throughout Western New York to prepare the next generation of public health professionals. Most recently he helped develop the Health Services program in the school and is currently a mentor in the MPH Culminating Project course. He is also an active board member of the Patrick P. Lee foundation where he is currently treasurer and co-chair of the Grants Committee. The School of Public Health and Health Professions thanks Art for his many contributions to building today’s public health workforce and for his continued efforts training tomorrow’s public health professionals.

We established Gamma Lambda on April 9, 2012, inducting 21 students, alumni and faculty in our inaugural year. Since then, we have inducted over 100 members, recognizing each for their protection and advancement of the health of all people.

Our world faces many challenges, and we are at the forefront of the public health response. Our members provide guidance for policies on smoking and vaping, lead research that improves the world’s understanding of cancer causes and effective treatments, and are on the front lines responding to and working on vaccine development for COVID-19.

We champion future public health leaders by recognizing students for their service and scholarship at the School’s annual Perry Poster Day and will continue to recognize students, alumni, faculty and partners as the best among us, creating a healthier world for all.

Founded in 1924, Delta Omega is the honorary society for public health with chapters in over 70 Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)-accredited schools and programs providing public health degrees. The Society promotes teaching, scholarship, and service in public health, and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated leadership and achievement in these areas.

Delta Omega membership reflects dedication to quality in public health, and the protection and advancement of health for all people. Members are elected based on high academic standards and outstanding performance in scholarship, teaching, research and service from four groups:

• Students who are candidates for a public health degree
  
• Faculty members engaged in public health teaching and scholarship
  
• Alumni engaged in public health leadership and service
  
• Honorary members who have attained meritorious distinction in public health

• 2020 – Interim President Kim Krytus, Gamma Lambda Chapter, '13
  
• 2016 – 2019 Deirdre Wheat, Gamma Lambda Chapter, ‘13
• 2014 – 2016 Michael F. Noe, Eta Chapter, ‘73
• 2012 – 2014 Lynn Kozlowski, Gamma Lambda Chapter, ’13

• Gregory G. Homish, Omicron Chapter, ‘13
• Lynn Kozlowski, Gamma Lambda Chapter, ‘13
• Michael F. Noe, Eta Chapter, ‘73