Dr. Alan Koslow — Surgeon, Humanitarian, Medical Research & Public Policy Leadership

Interviews & Media

Commentary & Essays (Medium)

Why Volunteering Shaped My Career in Medicine and Public Service

Title Why Volunteering Has Been a Constant in My Life

Source: Medium

Date December 27,2025

Link VOLUNTEERING

Why the Best Disaster Doctors Don’t Follow Straight Career Paths

Humanitarian medicine rewards breadth, judgment, and lived experience — not siloed expertise.

Source: Medium

Date December 28,2025

Link Disaster Medicine

A Life in Public Service: Medicine, Policy, and Community

Medicine, nonprofit leadership, and bipartisan lawmaking as a single continuum of public service

This article traces a through-line of public service spanning high school civic organizing, early national volunteer initiatives, decades in medicine, and bipartisan legislative work in Iowa. It focuses on outcomes and impact across education, public health, and community institutions rather than any single role or title.

Source: Medium

Date January 3, 2026

Link Read the full article on Medium

Featured Print Coverage (Archive Links)

Many original articles appeared in subscription-based publications or in print editions that predate current free web archives. The links below point to archival newspaper pages and may require a subscription to view.

Police Ride-Along / Pilot 100 Program
Buffalo Evening News — February 3, 1972

Originally published in the Buffalo Evening News (print edition).
Archival page available via subscription service.

View archival page (subscription required)

Care Delayed
Des Moines Register — August 6, 1997

Originally published in the Des Moines Register (print edition).
Archival page available via subscription service.

View archival page (subscription required)

Profile: Alan Koslow — Medicine, Public Service, and a Life of Curiosity
Storied Gifts — Interview / Profile

An in-depth interview and profile exploring Alan Koslow’s career spanning medicine, public service, education, humanitarian work, and lifelong intellectual curiosity, presented in a narrative, third-party format.

Originally published on the Storied Gifts editorial platform. Publicly accessible online interview.

Read the interview

School Board Debate Coverage
Des Moines Register — August 26, 1998

Originally published in the Des Moines Register (print edition).
Archival page available via subscription service.

View archival page (subscription required)

Child Care Task Force Report
Des Moines Register — February 2, 2000

Originally published in the Des Moines Register (print edition).
Archival pages available via subscription service.

Page 1
Page 2

Mideast Trouble Pains Doctor
Des Moines Register — May 17, 2002

Originally published in the Des Moines Register (print edition).
Archival page available via subscription service.

View archival page (subscription required)

War Is About Politics, Not Faith
Des Moines Register — March 19, 2003

Originally published in the Des Moines Register (print edition).
Archival page available via subscription service.

View archival page (subscription required)

Presidential Candidate Forum (photo with John Kerry)
Des Moines Register — November 17, 2003

Originally published in the Des Moines Register (print edition).
Archival page available via subscription service.

View archival page (subscription required)

Candidates Define Plans on Loans, High-Tech Jobs
Des Moines Register — October 3, 2008

Originally published in the Des Moines Register (print edition).
Archival page available via subscription service.

View archival page (subscription required):

Unfit Kids Will Just Grow Into Unfit Lawmakers
Des Moines Register — April 5, 2008

Originally published in the Des Moines Register (print edition).
Archival page available via subscription service.

View archival page (subscription required:

Dragon Con Blood Drive
Des Moines Register — September 14, 2009

Originally published in the Des Moines Register (print edition).
Archival page available via subscription service.

View archival page (subscription required):

Selected Media Images

Alan Koslow organizing a March of Dimes student walkathon with fellow volunteers and a child participant, early 1970s
Alan Koslow helping organize the first-ever March of Dimes walkathon, an early model that led to future walkathons and large-scale fundraising events nationwide.
Alan Koslow participating in a police ride-along briefing as part of the Pilot 100 program with Buffalo police, early 1970s
Alan Koslow during a Pilot 100 police ride-along program, a civilian–law enforcement partnership that allowed college students to accompany Buffalo police officers on duty.
Alan Koslow displaying artwork brought back from a humanitarian trip to Israel, Des Moines, early 2000s
Alan Koslow during a Jewish community leaders’ delegation to Israel at a time of heightened regional crisis, undertaken to show solidarity and support.
Alan Koslow greeting U.S. Senator John Kerry at a presidential candidate forum in Des Moines, early 2000s
Alan Koslow welcoming U.S. Senator John Kerry at a presidential candidate forum in Des Moines.
Alan Koslow delivering a community health lecture to residents at Wesley Acres retirement community in Des Moines
Alan Koslow speaking at Wesley Acres on evidence-based health and nutrition
Alan Koslow, candidate for the Iowa House of Representatives, speaking at the Iowa State Capitol during a Des Moines Register interview
Alan Koslow, a candidate for the Iowa House of Representatives, speaks at the State Capitol and discusses education, workforce, and public health policy