2015 Premier to honor Seneca President Snyder, Dr. Ko

The president of the Seneca Nation of Indians and the medical director for Adult Behavioral Health Services at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center will be honored at The 2015 Premier, Memorial’s annual dinner gala.

The event will be held Saturday, Jan. 17 at the Seneca Niagara Casino and Hotel, 310 Fourth St., Niagara Falls.

Barry Snyder, Sr. has been actively involved in the governing of the Seneca Nation of Indians for five decades. His passion for his people and the collective improvement of the Nation and its members has been central to the many offices he has held in the Nation’s government including tribal councilor, treasurer, Tribal Council chairperson, Economic Development Committee chairperson and president.

In 2003, Snyder sponsored legislation that called for the Nation’s increased sponsorship of children and elder opportunities. He established the Seneca Diabetes Foundation, which works in collaboration with the American Diabetes Association to enhance the efforts of the Seneca Nation Health Department.

Snyder will receive the Nancy Gara Spirit Award. The award is presented in memory of a Western New York banking executive and former medical center board member who was renowned for her positive attitude and personal commitment to serving the community.

A respected psychiatrist, Dr. Hak J. Ko has practiced medicine in Niagara since 1980. A graduate of the Seoul National University School of Medicine and a former medical officer in the South Korean Army, he plays a key role in Memorial’s new Niagara Wellness Connection Center as well as the medical center’s inpatient behavioral health units.

In addition, he has been a long-serving member of the behavioral health staff at the Buffalo General Hospital, where he served as medical director of the Adult Outpatient Clinic.

Chairpersons for The 2015 Premier are Dr. Venkat and Christin Kolli and Gary and Fran Hall.  Proceeds from the event will benefit the new Golisano Center for Community Health. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available by calling (716) 278-4570.

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