SPHHS to Host Symposium on Universal Access to Health Promotion

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The School of Public Health and Health Sciences (SPHHS) will host the next event in the Dean’s Symposia Series, “Universal Access to Health Promotion,” on Thursday, Nov. 1 from 9:30 a.m.-noon in the Student Union Cape Cod Lounge. The event will examine strategies for implementing health promotion programs in the workplace to reduce medical costs and improve health equity and quality of life.

Michael O’Donnell, CEO of the Art and Science of Health Promotion Institute, will provide the keynote address. He has worked directly as a consultant with more than 150 employers, health care organizations, government agencies, foundations, insurance companies and health promotion providers to develop and refine health promotion programs, products, policies, and legislation.

O’Donnell conceived and authored legislation that was incorporated into the Affordable Care Act, including provisions that resulted in production of the annual National Prevention Strategy, and has served as an employee in leadership roles in four major health systems, including the Cleveland Clinic, as well as serving as the Director of the Health Management Research Center and a faculty member in the School of Kinesiology at the University of Michigan.

Additional featured speakers will include:

  • Mari Ryan, CEO and founder of AdvancingWellness
  • David Buchanan, UMass Amherst professor emeritus of community health education
  • Claire Santarelli, director of the Office of Health Promotion and Partnerships in the Division of Prevention and Wellness at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health

A panel discussion moderated by Susan Shaw, associate professor in the department of health promotion and policy and director of the SPHHS Center for Community Health Equity Research, will follow the presentations.

Marjorie Aelion, SPHHS dean, will deliver opening remarks.

This event is free and open to the public. RSVP requested, but not required, by registering here.