A panel addressing the timely topic of health care reform will be hosted November 16 by two University of North Dakota student honor societies—Pi Sigma Alpha (political science and public administration) and Omicron Delta Epsilon (economics). The panelists are five regional professionals involved in health care delivery, education, insurance, and law. They will share their perspectives and answer audience questions regarding the current national health care debate with a special focus on regional concerns.

The event takes place Monday, November 16, from 7 to 8 p.m., in the Memorial Union Lecture Bowl. The event is free and open to the public.

“We want to give people a chance to gather, discuss, and learn more about the current health care system, what needs to be fixed, and how any policy actions will affect people right here in Grand Forks,” said Jessica Brennan, a UND senior and a member of the two honor societies that are hosting the panel. “We encourage audience members to voice their personal questions to these experienced leaders.”

Here in alphabetical order is a list of the panelists:
*Al Boucher, a medical malpractice and health care attorney with Robert Vogel Law in Grand Forks.

*Tim Sayler, chief operating officer, Altru Health System and former manager of Altru HMO (Health Maintenance Organization).

*Rod St. Aubyn, director of government relations, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota.

*Dwight Thompson, chief financial officer, Altru Health System.

*Joshua Wynne, M.D., M.B.A., M.P.H., interim dean of the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences, interim UND vice president for health affairs, and a practicing cardiologist.

David Flynn, assistant professor of economics in the UND College of Business and Public Administration and director of the N.D. Bureau of Business and Economic Research, will moderate the panel.
 
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Contacts:
Jessica Lynn Brennan
(406) 740-2740
jessica.brennan@und.nodak.edu

Juan Miguel Pedraza
Office of University Relations
(701) 777-6571
juanpedraza@mail.und.edu