ABH Spring Social - An Evening to Celebrate

For the first time since early 2020, Advocates for Better Health gathered our growing community of physicians, residents, and students to celebrate the many successes over the past years in support of public health and wellness in Minnesota. This fun-filled evening included exciting organizational highlights:

• Celebrating Five Years of the Public Health Advocacy Fellowship
  ABH believes physician advocates play an important role in improving public health and building healthy communities. Our one-of-a-kind Public Health Advocacy Fellowship is based in advocacy for the real world. ABH’s Fellowship combines three elements to create a well-rounded toolkit of advocacy skills: skills training, physician mentorship, and hands-on advocacy experience. The Fellowship began with 11 students and mentors in 2017-18 cohort, and has grown to include more than 115 student/mentor pairs. We are thrilled to continue to support medical students in gaining new advocacy skills and experience, and are grateful for the physician advocates who take time to connect with their student mentees.

• Presenting ABH’s First a Physician Award to Sarah Traxler, MD, MSHP
  Working tirelessly, Dr. Traxler fights for access to reproductive healthcare for patients across the Planned Parenthood North Central States (PPNCS) region. Dr. Traxler exemplifies physician advocacy and service; Minnesota would not be the sanctuary for reproductive healthcare that it is without her tireless efforts these past years. Further, she does this humbly, only seeking the reward of knowing patients can exercise their right to exemplary reproductive healthcare.

• ABH | The Foundation – A Year in Review
  ABH | The Foundation is a physician-led philanthropic organization that strives to improve the health and well-being of the community through strategic initiatives. In 2022, the Foundation supported seven community organizations working on the frontline of wellness and public health with $64,000 in funding. Amarachi Orakwue, MS2, was awarded the annual Medical Student Scholarship and was inspired to joined the Foundation Board. And the Foundation honored two physicians, Dr. Ellen Coffey and Dr. William B. Wheeler, with the Charles Bolles Bolles-Rogers Award last fall. Learn more about ABH | The Foundation here.

 At the Social, ABH shared our goal to raise $7,500 by August 15, 2023 to support the sixth cohort of the Public Health Advocacy Fellowship. Thanks to attendees generous support, the momentum is building! We are more than halfway to our goal and hope you’ll join your public health advocacy colleagues and make an online, tax-deductible contribution. Monthly sustainer options are also available.