BNMC to present 5th annual Food as Medicine Symposium in October

‘Embracing Health, Empowering Communities’ will feature range of local, national & international voices in food as medicine space

Press Release

The Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus announced the fifth annual Food as Medicine Symposium will take place on Oct. 23-25 at the UB Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

Western New Yorkers will have the opportunity to hear from local, national and international leaders in the field at a dynamic, three-day event exploring the powerful intersection of food, nutrition and health. The symposium will feature two keynote addresses from Erin W. Martin, MSAM, and Georgios Karimalis.

Martin, the founder and CEO of Fresh Rx, Oklahoma, will present “From Soil to Cell: The Future of Food is Medicine” on Oct. 24. Karimalis, founder of the Karimalis Estate and Lifestyle School in Ikaria, Greece, will present “The Lifestyle of Longevity” on Oct. 25.

"This year’s theme, ‘Embracing Health, Empowering Communities,’ aims to deepen and celebrate the transformative work advancing food, health and equity in our community,” said Beth Machnica, director of health and wellbeing at BNMC. “We’re excited to host an inspiring lineup of nationally recognized speakers and create a space where clinical care, culinary innovation, and culture spark meaningful change.”

Tops Friendly Markets, the UB Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, and Univera Healthcare are the leading supporters of this year’s symposium and events.

"Tops has been a proud partner of BNMC and its Food as Medicine program since its inception, sharing in the belief that food has the power to heal from within,” said Kristen Hanson, GVP, center store and pharmacy. “Through our ongoing collaboration, we have worked together to make fresh, nutritious options more accessible to the communities we serve. This partnership not only strengthens our efforts, but also helps us connect important community partners and retailers to join this movement, amplifying the impact and bringing about lasting change. Tops’ commitment is further reflected in programs such as S3 and Nations Benefits, which encourages shoppers to use their benefits toward making food a cornerstone of their well-being. We are honored to continue advancing this important mission alongside BNMC, empowering individuals and families to embrace healthier lifestyles."

At this year’s BNMC Food as Medicine Symposium, sports fans, fitness enthusiasts and health professionals alike will want to catch the “Nutrition for Sports Performance” panel from 5-6:30 p.m. Oct. 23. This engaging session will uncover how the right foods, fluids, and fueling strategies can make all the difference in athletic performance – from game day to recovery.

Expert panelists, including Christine Dziedzic, sports dietitian for the Buffalo Bills, will share real-world tips and insights for athletes of all ages and levels, whether they’re training for a marathon, hitting the gym, or playing at the professional level. From plant-based eaters to youth and women athletes, the conversation will highlight how personalized nutrition can help everyone perform their best, recover faster, and stay healthy for the long run.

Attendees can also look forward to the “Women’s Health” panel at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 24. This insightful session will explore how nutrition and lifestyle play a vital role across key stages of women’s lives, from adolescence and pregnancy to menopause and beyond.

Expert panelists, including registered dietitians, clinicians and policy leaders, will share practical tips and evidence-based strategies to support women’s health, offering guidance that can be applied in everyday life as well as in clinical and community settings. The discussion will also shed light on the disparities that continue to impact women’s health outcomes, highlighting the importance of advancing equity in research, policy and care. With perspectives spanning fertility, pregnancy, menopause and health advocacy, this panel will empower attendees with knowledge and tools to better support women’s well-being at every stage of life.

The 2025 symposium will also feature panels discussing a wide array of other important topics pertaining to the Food as Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine movements, including:

√ “The Business Case for Food as Medicine”

√ “Integrative and Functional Nutrition”

√ “Culinary Medicine and Food as Medicine Interventions”

√ “The National Policy Landscape of Food as Medicine and Public Health Nutrition”

√ “Exploring the Six Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine”

Each year, the symposium brings together a diverse audience of clinicians, researchers, wellness practitioners, chefs, public health leaders, and community members who are passionate about reimagining food as a tool for healing and wellbeing. The 2025 program includes accredited sessions for continuing education.

The symposium is open to health care professionals, educators, students and the general public. A detailed schedule, registration information, and speakers are available at www.bnmc.org/foodasmedicine.