UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine physician Leslie J. Bisson, MD, and his wife, CPR/AED Outreach Program Coordinator Karen Bisson, MBA, RN, were honored with “Partnership of the Year” awards at the 2024 Buffalo Black Nurses, Inc. Nurses Gala & Scholarship Dinner on November 2. Held at the Niagara Falls Convention Center, this special event brought community members together to celebrate the dedication and compassion of Western New York nurses, while also raising funds for scholarships to support the next generation of health care professionals.
As part of the evening’s scholarship and award presentations, the “Partnership of the Year” awards recognized UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine’s collaboration with Buffalo Black Nurses, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to promoting health and well-being in underserved Buffalo communities. The two organizations have been working side by side to promote CPR and AED use at over 100 informational and training sessions across Western New York, focusing on historically underserved communities and empowering over 14,000 individuals with lifesaving skills.
“The award was presented to Dr. Bisson and Karen Bisson for their outstanding partnership with Buffalo Black Nurses forthe ‘hands-only’ CPR/AED initiative that was started in 2023,” says Buffalo Black Nurses, Inc. Founder/President Rhonda Wilson, BA, LPN. “Both organizations have a common goal to train the community, and specifically the black and brown communities, to decrease the mortality rate during cardiac arrest. UBMDOSM in partnership with Buffalo Black Nurses has trained over 14,000 people. These numbers are incredible and will continue to increase as we continue this partnership and initiative in 2025.”
“The partnership that has been established has been a wonderful experience,” says Tameka Felts, MBA, BSN, a Buffalo Black Nurses, Inc. Board Member and CPR Committee Chair. “The expertise and leadership with Dr. Bisson have helped bridge community health needs and CPR/AED awareness.”
Nationally recognized for his academic research, medical advancements and work to deliver CPR/AED training in underserved communities, Dr. Bisson serves as the Medical Director for the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres. As the Associate Dean for Clinical Transformation and the June A. and Eugene R. Mindell, MD Professor and Chair of the Department of Orthopaedics at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, Dr. Bisson is passionate about serving the local community and advancing the department’s mission of compassionate care, innovative research and collaborative education.
“Buffalo Black Nurses is an amazing organization dedicated to improving the health of underserved communities,” says Dr. Bisson. “The passion and energy its members bring to the hands-only CPR training program is truly inspirational.”
UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine is proud to support Buffalo Black Nurses, Inc. in its ongoing commitment to health equity and community impact. Additionally, UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine partners with several organizations throughout the year, including the Buffalo Bills, the American Heart Association, UB’s Black Men in White Coats and UBMD Emergency Medicine, to provide CPR and AED educational materials, hands-only training at community events, and instructional sessions for student-athletes and youth at several local high schools.