The Maureen R. L. Mussenden Scholarship fund provides one-third in state tuition for up to four years (based on the tuition the year the scholarship is awarded) and is available to students pursuing a graduate degree in any of the following schools:

• School of Dental Medicine
• Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
• School of Nursing
• School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
• School of Public Health and Health Professions

The Office of the Vice President for Health Sciences presents the award.

Presented to MPH or PhD students in the Department of Community Health and Health Behavior who exemplify accomplishment, commitment to vocation and the profession of public health and service to the community.

This award recognizes the integration of a student’s professional studies with action in the community.

Recipients will have demonstrated adaptability, flexibility, creativity, extended time related to their community-based projects and developed skills and commitment well beyond the confines of the traditional academic setting. Awarded annually in the spring semester.

Awarded to a MPH student who shows great potential for future contributions in public health.

This award honors the late Francis V. Hanavan, former chair of the Department of Health Behavioral Sciences.

Awarded annually in the spring semester.

The fund supports students’ attendance at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association.

Dr. Jharna Basak created this fund in 2016 in honor of her late husband, Dr. Sanjit Basak. He was an outstanding physician and community member. While all who knew Dr. Basak can remember his dedication to caring and listening to his patients, the assistance fund will keep alive the many healing qualities that made him such a prominent health care professional.

This student assistance fund will support MPH students implementing their vision for important improvements in health care delivery, population health, health economics, health behavior, health administration or health-promoting environments.

The donor, Dr. Paul Washburn, is a 2016 graduate of the MPH/ Preventive Medicine Residency Program. As a student, Paul completed a capstone project that reflected his vision for improving the delivery of care in an outpatient setting. Through this gift, he seeks to inspire and guide students who hope to improve the lives of people and the organizations that serve them.

Presented to MPH or PhD students in the Department of Community Health and Health Behavior who exemplify accomplishment, commitment to vocation and the profession of public health and service to the community.

This award recognizes the integration of a student’s professional studies with action in the community.

Recipients will have demonstrated adaptability, flexibility, creativity, extended time related to their community-based projects and developed skills and commitment well beyond the confines of the traditional academic setting. Awarded annually in the spring semester.

Awarded to PhD students in the Department of Community Health and Health Behavior who show great potential for future research practice contributions to the field of public health.

Students are judged on academic success and the quality of their contributions in research, teaching and service. Awarded annually in the spring semester.

Established in 2005 to honor Robert O’Shea, PhD, associate professor emeritus and first director of graduate studies in the Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health from 1977 to 1997.

Eligible students are those who have defended their dissertation by Feb. 1 of the previous year. To be eligible, students must gather epidemiologic data fairly extensively during their career (primary data collection), either for dissertation or other epidemiologic purpose. Nominations come from the student’s major professor, committee member or other departmental faculty. Selection for the award is made by the department’s education committee, awarded annually in the spring.

This fund will be granted to one incoming EEH doctoral student each year, with preference given to exceptional applicants who are interested in pursuing research in women’s health. This support will be in addition to typical salary and course credit provided to PhD students. The Wactawski and Wende Family Endowment fund will cover non-tuition, ancillary expenses to further the education of the recipient, such as meeting or training travel; data collection; books; society memberships; conference registrations; research; and other activities related to their UB doctoral program not covered by the department.

The Chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health will administer the fund through the department, based on a recommendation from the Admissions Committee. The recipient must remain in good academic standing throughout their graduate career. 

The ES Undergraduate Summer scholarship is intended for students who are required to take PAS 407 Gross Anatomy for their concentration (Pre-PT or Pre-Health). This scholarship is available to UB students only (current ES undergraduate students or combined BS/DPT students) and is intended to help defray costs associated with the course PAS 407 Human Gross Anatomy.

Eligibility is based on

• financial need (to be determined by examining Federal Student Aid Applications)
• leadership potential
• academic excellence (prerequisite GPA with emphasis on Anatomy, Physiology and Science of Human Movement courses)

Exercise science students with a prerequisite GPA greater than or equal to 3.0 and enrolled in PAS 407 Human Gross Anatomy must submit by email, a resume and a letter outlining their qualifications by 4 p.m., April 30, to Maureen Lannen. Awards will be announced by May 10. Up to three scholarships of $500 each will be awarded.

This award honors students who exemplify leadership, service and academic excellence.

Honoring the first dean of the School of Health Related Professions, the J. Warren Perry Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate or graduate students in the Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences or Rehabilitation Science.

Buffalo native Annette Rachman began her studies at the University at Buffalo and spent most of her professional career as a dietitian at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Rachman designated that the bulk of her estate be used to provide scholarships for graduate nutrition students with a GPA or 3.0 or higher. Candidates may apply for the scholarship twice and are selected by the faculty of the Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences.

Before his retirement from UB in 1985, Carlton R. Meyers was an inspirational mentor to many graduate students and was a strong supporter of graduate education.

Meyers established this award to recognize outstanding graduate students in the Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences. Students are nominated for this award by faculty of the Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences. Final selection is made by the ENS Awards/Scholarship Committee.

Denise Howland was regarded as the area's premier dietitian working with the most complex, acute medical problems. 

Glenda was a Dietetic Intern preceptor for the University at Buffalo for many years. She was a registered dietitian and worked for 29 years at the Niagara County Office for the Aging.

She was well-known for her compassion and love of helping senior citizens. Glenda was also very active in the dietetics profession, serving as past president of the WNY Dietetic Association, NYS Aging Services Dietitians, NYS Association of Nutrition & Aging Programs, Meals-on-Wheels of America and many more.

Glenda and her husband, John, had a wonderful relationship with the University at Buffalo, especially the students. They helped countless students as they began their challenging and rewarding journey into the dietetic profession. She lived graciously and courageously, inspiring and teaching countless friends, loved ones and students.

Honoring the first dean of the School of Health Related Professions, the J. Warren Perry Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate or graduate students in the Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences or Rehabilitation Science.

Awarded to a current University at Buffalo Nutrition Science or Exercise Science graduate student completing thesis work.

To his family and friends, Matthew Morris was their glue, inspiration, often voice of reason. Self-improvement and lifelong learning framed his life. His quiet voice in the ear of his friends and family helped everyone he touched look at life with a renewed sense of purpose. Matt cared about helping others in their research. He would come in at odd hours to participate in any way that he could. Always trying to learn more was Matt's hallmark while he was in his undergraduate education and more so when he was finishing his MS thesis work, which was cut short by his unexpected passing.

This award honors students who exemplify leadership, service and academic excellence.

Paul was committed to the athletic trainers he served and helped provide them ideal conditions for caring for athletes.

Awarded to a current University at Buffalo Nutrition Science or Exercise Science graduate student completing thesis work.

To his family and friends, Matthew Morris was their glue, inspiration, often voice of reason. Self-improvement and lifelong learning framed his life. His quiet voice in the ear of his friends and family helped everyone he touched look at life with a renewed sense of purpose. Matt cared about helping others in their research. He would come in at odd hours to participate in any way that he could. Always trying to learn more was Matt's hallmark while he was in his undergraduate education and more so when he was finishing his MS thesis work, which was cut short by his unexpected passing.

This scholarship supports graduate, doctoral and professional students in medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy or physical therapy in their final academic year.

Honoring the first dean of the School of Health Related Professions, the J. Warren Perry Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate or graduate students in the Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences or Rehabilitation Science.

This scholarship for fifth-year occupational therapy students is awarded in memory of Kathy Shaffer, a 1987 graduate of the UB Department of Occupational Therapy's baccalaureate program and senior therapist at Erie County Medical Center. 

Named for a longtime UB faculty member, the Susan E. Bennett Memorial Scholarship continues Sue’s life work and legacy through current and future students in the Physical Therapy program in the Department of Rehabilitation Science.

Susan Bennett, DPT, EdD, MS, a longtime UB faculty member and pioneer in rehabilitation practices for people with multiple sclerosis, died in 2020 after a battle with cancer. She is remembered as a kind and generous teacher, mentor, colleague and friend, most notably for her caring, empathy and dedication to her students and patients.

A clinical professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Science and interim chair of the department from 2016-18, Bennett founded her physical therapy practice, Bennett Rehabilitation Institute, in 1992. The practice is a leader in treating patients with neurological conditions. Sue was the first rehabilitation professional to receive the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers’ Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes an individual whose decades-long commitment has driven significant advances in the care of people with MS.

$4,000 is awarded each year. 

Awarded to students enrolled in the Department of Rehabilitation Science who demonstrate promise in the field of physical therapy. In order to build upon Sue’s legacy, preference will be given to students with a desire to work in neurological rehabilitation or with an interest in treating MS patients.

This scholarship supports graduate, doctoral and professional students in medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy or physical therapy in their final academic year.

Al Caffiero was one of the most prominent physical therapists in Western New York.

Named for a longtime UB faculty member, the Susan E. Bennett Memorial Scholarship continues Sue’s life work and legacy through current and future students in the Physical Therapy program in the Department of Rehabilitation Science.

Susan Bennett, DPT, EdD, MS, a longtime UB faculty member and pioneer in rehabilitation practices for people with multiple sclerosis, died in 2020 after a battle with cancer. She is remembered as a kind and generous teacher, mentor, colleague and friend, most notably for her caring, empathy and dedication to her students and patients.

A clinical professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Science and interim chair of the department from 2016-18, Bennett founded her physical therapy practice, Bennett Rehabilitation Institute, in 1992. The practice is a leader in treating patients with neurological conditions. Sue was the first rehabilitation professional to receive the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers’ Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes an individual whose decades-long commitment has driven significant advances in the care of people with MS.

$4,000 is awarded each year. 

Awarded to students enrolled in the Department of Rehabilitation Science who demonstrate promise in the field of physical therapy. In order to build upon Sue’s legacy, preference will be given to students with a desire to work in neurological rehabilitation or with an interest in treating MS patients.

The Office of Global Health Initiatives (OGHI) offers funding for UB School of Public Health and Health Professions’ (SPHHP) students interested in interacting with public health initiatives and services in resource-poor settings in the United States or in a global setting. These awards are made possible in part by generous support from OGHI Founding Director Dr. Arthur Goshin.