Daemen University and the Health Foundation for Western & Central New York (HFWCNY) have partnered to offer graduates of the HFWCNY’s Health Leadership Fellows program six academic credits toward Daemen’s Leadership and Innovation Master’s program.

The Health Leadership Fellows program, established in 2005, is an intensive 18-month program designed for current leaders of health-related nonprofit organizations, safety-net organizations, and public agencies that address the needs of older adults or young children impacted by poverty, including a commitment to racial and/or socioeconomic equity. 

Fellows must be in leadership roles, with tenure of at least five years in a management role, and have a strong commitment to and involvement with their local community.

Daemen’s Leadership and Innovation Master’s program is a 36-credit program that can be completed in 24 months. Through a mix of virtual learning and a weekly in-person evening class, students will hone communication and critical thinking skills that position them as transformational leaders in their field. 

Leadership and Innovation students customize their research project/thesis and complete the specialization leadership course in one of four specialty tracks: business, health professions, higher education, or social impact organizations. 

"For more than two decades, our Health Leadership Fellows program has strengthened collaboration among our region's health and social care professionals and inspired novel solutions to challenging community health issues," said Nora Suric, PhD, President, Health Foundation for Western & Central New York. "Those core values make this new partnership with Daemen University's Leadership and Innovation master's program a perfect fit and an opportunity to multiply the impact of both the Fellows experience and Daemen's academic excellence."

Dr. Lisa Rafalson, founding dean of the College of Health, Human Sciences, and Business, said, “As a member of the 2013-15 Health Leadership Fellows cohort, I understand the significant impact this program has on the individual Fellow and the community at large. Building leadership capacity among professionals who are passionate about making a positive impact on communities unites these two programs. We are thrilled to offer Fellows six credits toward Daemen’s Leadership and Innovation graduate program to help them further their leadership and academic goals.” 

Health Leadership Fellows graduates interested in applying to Daemen’s Leadership and Innovation program must provide proof of the Fellows program completion to earn the six academic credits, which will be approved upon acceptance. 

For more information, visit the Leadership and Innovation program page.