Amherst resident receives 'Service to Mankind' award

The Western New York and Finger Lakes Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society presented its 2008 Service to Mankind Award to Amherst resident Dr. Michael Cropp at the 16th annual Diamond Ball on Feb. 23 at Samuel's Grande Manor.

Cropp was chosen for his long-term support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and outstanding service to the WNY community.

"Through his tireless dedication and commitment to the society's mission to cure blood cancers, he has improved the quality of life of patients and their families," the society said.

Cropp, the president and chief executive officer of Independent Health, is a board-certified family physician with more than 25 years of experience in the practice of medicine and in leading health systems.

His work at Independent Health, as well as his prior work with Rhode Island Group Health, Health Partners in Minneapolis and the Millard Fillmore Health System, has been characterized by a patient-centered, results-oriented focus that has brought teams of health care professionals together to find approaches to solving common challenges.

Cropp has been involved in the WNY community through the United Way and Camp Good Days and Special Times. He is chairman of the board of the Pursuing Perfecting (P2) Collaborative of WNY, a community organization addressing breast cancer and the risk factors of heart disease. He also serves on the board of the National Federation for Just Communities, the Elizabeth Pierce Olmsted Center for the Visually Impaired, the Buffalo Niagara Enterprise and the Buffalo Niagara Partnership.

His wife, Lois, is a board member of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, currently serving as secretary,

All proceeds from the 16th annual Diamond Ball will be directed toward research of leukemia and lymphoma, myeloma and blood cancers, as well as education, advocacy and community service programs.

For more information, visit www.lls.org/wny.