History of the Charles Poskanzer Lecture
Dr. Poskanzer joined the SUNY Cortland Health Department in 1950, and over the next 4 decades, his accomplishments, were numerous.
Poskanzer was chair of the Health Department for many years.
He pioneered a health program that became a model for other health science & health education programs at colleges across the nation.
His contributions have led to the creation of the present-day system of medical health care for the aging population. He and Wilbur Cohen, the future Secretary of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, co-authored a study which led to the passage of the national Medicare legislation. Poskanzer was invited by President Johnson to attend the signing of the Medicare law passed in 1965.
He helped establish the Medical Care Administration branch of the U.S. Public Health Service in Washington, D.C.
Poskanzer, who was a consultant to the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, was a frequent lecturer on health issues. In 1966, he served as a visiting professor at the London School of Economics.
At SUNY Cortland, Poskanzer served on nearly every standing and ad hoc committee of the Faculty Senate and what was called, the Faculty Association.
In 1970, as the Faculty Association chair, he brought a peaceful solution to the student unrest and occupation of the Miller Building sparked by the tragic events at Kent State.
He was very active in local politics- Poskanzer served as an alderman and then as mayor of the City of Cortland during the 1970s. He was a longtime member and former president of the Cortland County Board of Health.
Dr. Poskanzer, a specialist in health care administration and planning, taught in the Health Department for over 40 years. He taught an estimated 15,000 students.
In 1989, the State University of New York designated Poskanzer a Distinguished Service Professor in recognition of the broad scope of his public service contributions on the local and national levels.
This lecture series honors Dr. Poskanzer’s contribution to health and health care. And, it allows us to continue to shed light on the critical public health issues facing us today.