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U.S. Surgeons General to Confront Childhood Obesity Epidemic

Historic Gathering of Former and Acting U.S. Surgeons General Will Take Place in Nation's Capital

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Gayle Converse / 404-756-6701 / gconverse@msm.edu

Atlanta - The Satcher Health Leadership Institute (SHLI) of Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta will host a historic gathering of former U.S. Surgeons General as they join forces in Washington to address the nation's epidemic of childhood obesity.

In "Confronting Childhood Obesity in America: Implications for Health Policy and Health Justice," four former surgeons general, two former acting surgeons general and the current acting surgeon general will discuss the scope of the epidemic and its impact on children. Recommendations will be made for reversing and preventing this critical health problem. The role of health policy and health justice interventions also will be discussed.

The panel, sponsored by the SHLI, with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, will be the highlight of "The National Summit of Clinicians for Health Care Justice." The three-day conference will gather clinicians from across the country to show unity with uninsured, underinsured and marginalized Americans.

The panel will take place Thursday, October 23, from 8-10 a.m., in the International Ballroom of the Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.

David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D., director of the SHLI and 16th Surgeon General of the United States, will welcome attendees.

Opening Remarks will be presented by Acting U.S. Surgeon General Rear Admiral Steven K. Galson, M.D., M.P.H. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Chief Medical Officer Eduardo Sanchez, M.D., M.P. H., will serve as moderator.

Surgeons General Keynote Panel: Response Panel:
13th U.S. Surgeon General Arkansas Surgeon General
C. Everett Koop, M.D., Sc.D. Joseph Thompson, M.D., M.P.H.
14th U.S. Surgeon General Florida Surgeon General
Antonia Novello, M.D., M.P.H. Ana Viamonte Ros, M.D., M.P.H.
Acting U.S. Surgeon General 1995-1997 Michigan Surgeon General
Audrey Manley, M.D., M.P.H. Kimberlydawn Wisdom, M.D., M.P.H.
16th U.S. Surgeon General
David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D.
17th U.S. Surgeon General
Richard Carmona, M.D., M.P.H.
Acting U.S. Surgeon General 2006-2007
Kenneth P. Moritisugu, M.D., M.P.H.

The Satcher Health Leadership Institute (SHLI) of Morehouse School of Medicine
Approved by the Morehouse School of Medicine Board of Trustees and established by David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D., 16th U.S. Surgeon General, the mission of the SHLI is to develop a diverse group of public health leaders, foster and support leadership strategies, and influence policies and practices toward the reduction and ultimate elimination of disparities in health. For more information about the SHLI please visit: www.satcherhealthleadershipinstitute.org.

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Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM), located in Atlanta, Georgia, was founded in 1975 as the Medical Education Program at Morehouse College. In 1981 Morehouse School of Medicine became an independently chartered institution and the first minority medical school established at a Historically Black College and University in the 20th century. MSM is among the nation's leading educators of primary care physicians. Our faculty and alumni are noted in their fields for excellence in teaching, research and public policy, and are known in the community for exceptional, culturally appropriate patient care. For more information about Morehouse School of Medicine, visit us online at www.msm.edu.

MSM in the News 2008