WNY Women's Foundation to host 'What She's Made Of' at Highmark Stadium

Evening will be highlighted by interactive discussion featuring women in medicine

The WNY Women’s Foundation will present “What She’s Made Of” 2023 on May 22 at Highmark Stadium, with 350 guests anticipated.

A press release stated, “ ‘What She’s Made Of’ will create an opportunity for people to come together in support of uplifting the women in our community, and provide a chance to learn from three inspiring women in medicine about the impact of health disparities in our region.”

“What She’s Made Of” is made possible by presenting sponsor, M&T Bank, event sponsors, the Buffalo Bills and Delaware North, and many corporate supporters.

“Your Health, Your Community, and YOU!” represents this year’s theme, as “What She’s Made Of” will “highlight the many ways we can work together to promote a healthy community, address health disparities, and raise awareness to improve outcomes,” organizers stated.

WNY Women’s Foundation CEO Sheri Scavone said, “The WNY Women’s Foundation plays important roles in advancing women’s economic empowerment and women’s leadership through our advocacy work and raising our voice to effect change. Our annual, signature event will offer a space to network and discuss important topics related to community health and personal health, with attendees leaving inspired with a personal call to action.”

Guest speakers include:

•Kenyani Davis, M.D., M.P.H., chief medical officer at the Community Health Center of Buffalo Inc. Davis researches and talks about how health inequity both contributes to and is amplified by racial and socioeconomic disparities in Buffalo. She often discusses Buffalo’s need for a coordinated plan with accountability, follow up, and resources in order to truly address these inequities.

•Jennifer Roberts, Dr.P.H., M.P.H., associate professor at physical cultural studies research group; founding executive director at Wekesa Earth Center; director of public health outcomes and effects of the Build Environment Laboratory; and department of kinesiology in the School of Public Health at University of Maryland. A scholar, historian and activist, Roberts draws on history to understand and dismantle the health disparities and social and environmental injustices that marginalized populations and communities of color endured generationally and endure presently. A native of Buffalo, Roberts graduated from Buffalo Seminary.

•Myra Lynette Mathis, M.D., assistant professor in the department of psychiatry, addiction psychiatry at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Mathis is currently the medical director for Strong Recovery, UR Medicine's outpatient dual-diagnosis clinic, which houses an opioid treatment program and provides a full range of addiction and psychiatric services. As a contributing author to several peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, Mathis’ academic interests include racial health equity and social justice in psychiatry and addiction, and medical education for students, residents, and fellows in the treatment of substance use disorders.

Allison Brashear, M.D., M.B.A., will introduce the panelists. Brashear is an internationally recognized neurologist, accomplished researcher and health science administrator. She was appointed vice president for health sciences at the University at Buffalo and dean of the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in December 2021.

As a nod to the Highmark Stadium venue, attendees are encouraged to wear cocktail attire, paired with their favorite sneakers.

“As the leading advocate in tackling issues women struggle with – such as child care, pay equity, professional advancement, and more – the WNY Women’s Foundation’s work is more urgent than ever,” Scavone said. “We’re incredibly grateful to our speakers, our sponsors and to our community for their support of this important event for our organization.”

To purchase tickets, sponsorships or program ads, call 716-249-6522 or visit www.wnywomensfoundation.org.

A press release stated, “The WNY Women’s Foundation creates opportunities for each woman to learn, earn, lead and thrive.” Learn more at www.wnywomensfoundation.org.