Public Health Sciences Alumnus Benjamin Karol ’25 Receives Patriots Difference Maker of the Week Award
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Recent public health sciences alumnus Benjamin Karol ’25 was selected as a “Patriots Difference Maker of the Week” by the New England Patriots Foundation. He received the award during a special pregame ceremony celebrating the season-long initiative during the Patriots regular season finale versus the Miami Dolphins on January 4, 2026, at Gillette Stadium.
The “Difference Maker of the Week” awards were a part of the Celebrate Volunteerism initiative, which aims to share examples of dedicated volunteers, build awareness of the need for volunteering, identify and educate others about volunteer opportunities, and inspire New Englanders to follow the Kraft family’s example of becoming lifelong volunteers. Throughout the season, the foundation presented a weekly “Patriots Difference Maker of the Week” award, which aims to recognize deserving volunteers who go above and beyond to help build stronger New England communities.
Chairman and CEO of the Kraft Group and the New England Patriots Robert Kraft was on the field prior to the game to congratulate all of this year’s winners.
“We are proud to honor volunteers across New England whose service reflects the values that strengthen our region,” said Kraft. “Their dedication supports our communities and upholds the principles that have long defined New England. The individuals we recognize today show how acts of service and kindness can spark meaningful change and encourage others to get involved.”
Karol was selected as a 2025 Patriots Difference Maker of the Week for his commitment to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Inc. As part of this recognition, the Kraft family, the New England Patriots Foundation and Gillette will be making a $10,000 donation to support the nonprofit.
Through White Coat Connectors, Karol personally connects undergraduate students to free shadowing opportunities with physicians that volunteer to participate. Thanks to his efforts, students have been able to receive hands-on experience, including shadowing surgeries with physicians. He hopes to one day turn this program into a nonprofit organization.
"Thank you so much to the Kraft family, The New England Patriots Foundation, and Gillette for this award and for the generous donation to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Attending the ceremony at Gillette Stadium with my best buddy Lee was truly a dream come true,” said Karol. “I would also like to thank all of the inspiring physicians in our program who are opening their doors to students. Together we have expanded access to medical education for students from under-resourced communities in Massachusetts and New York, and I can't wait to see how our program grows from here. If you are an aspiring medical student or a physician looking to participate in our program, please visit our website WhiteCoatConnectors.org or Instagram page @WhiteCoatConnectors.”
Karol has improved the lives of many physicians across Massachusetts, by offering the joy and responsibility of teaching. He continues to improve the connection and compassion of the next generation of physicians by creating equitable access to mentorship and career-changing opportunities for students of all backgrounds.
The 2025 Patriots Difference Makers of the Week range in age from 22 to 76 and support communities across New England. Charitable causes include disability support, healthcare, homelessness, youth mentoring and more. These volunteers have collectively dedicated more than 122 years to giving back to their communities.
For more information about the Celebrate Volunteerism initiative and the 2025 Patriots Difference Makers of the Week, visit https://www.patriots.com/community/pdm.