This lecture is sponsored by the Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center (CHEAR)—within the Department of Pediatrics—and the CHEAR Faculty Executive Representatives—a collaborative of the Institute for Social Research and the Schools of Business, Dentistry, Education, Engineering, Kinesiology, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health, Public Policy, and Social Work. Each year, CHEAR hosts the Susan B. Meister Lecture in Child Health Policy that highlights speakers from a variety of disciplines to explore important child health topics.
Previous Speakers:
2025 - 17th Annual Susan B. Meister Lecture in Child Health Policy
Music, Health, and Wellness Across the Lifespan: Pathways to Improve Child Health and Policy
Mr. Anthony White
Artistic Director for the Detroit Youth Concert Choir and Performing Arts Company
Introductory Remarks:
Matthew VanBesien
President, University Musical Society
Panel Discussants:
Kate Fitzpatrick-Harnish, PhD
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Academic Affairs, School of Music, Theatre, and Dance
Karl Grosh, PhD, MS
Professor of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering
Meredith Irvine, MHA, MT-BC, NICUMT
Sophie’s Place Studio Manager, Michigan Medicine
Victoria Shaw, PhD
Detroit School and Arts Partnerships Lead, Marsal Family School of Education
Moderator:
Jeremy Adler, MD, MSc
Interim Director, Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center
Closing Remarks:
John Z. Ayanian, MD, MPP
Director, Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation
2024 - 16th Annual Susan B. Meister Lecture in Child Health Policy
The Impact of Neighborhoods on Child Health: Opportunities for Better Policy
Adrianne Todman
Acting Secretary, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Panel Discussants:
Sara Adar, ScD, MHS
Associate Chair and Associate Professor of Epidemiology
Jennifer Erb-Downward, MPH
Director of Housing Stability Programs and Policy Initiatives, Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan
Alison L. Miller, PhD
Professor, Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan
Carla O'Connor, PhD
University Diversity and Social Transformation Professor and Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, Marsal Family School of Education, University of Michigan
Moderator:
Jeremy Adler, MD, MSc
Interim Director, Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Center
Closing Remarks:
Kathleen Cagney, PhD, MPP
Director, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan
2023 - 15th Annual Susan B. Meister Lecture in Child Health Policy
The Impact of School Closures on Child Health and Development: a Call for Interdisciplinary Action
Donna Mazyck, MS, RN, NCSN, CAE, FNASN
Executive Director, National Association of School Nurses
Panelists:
Tiffany Munzer, MD
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan
Donald J. Peurach, PhD
Professor of Educational Policy, Leadership, and Innovation, Marsal Family School of Education, University of Michigan
Julie Ribaudo, LMSW, IMH-E®
Clinical Professor of Social Work, University of Michigan
Moderator:
Lisa A. Prosser, PhD
Director, Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Center
Closing Remarks:
Elizabeth Birr Moje, PhD
Dean, George Herbert Mead Collegiate Professor of Education and
Arthur F. Thurneau Professor, Marsal Family School of Education
2022 - 14th Annual Susan B. Meister Lecture in Child Health Policy
Effects of the Pandemic on Trauma and Abuse within Families and Communities: Experts on Child Health and Aging Come Together to Clarify Thinking for the Future
Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN
President, The John A. Hartford Foundation
Panelists:
Debra Chopp, JD
Associate Dean for Experiential Education Clinical Professor of Law
Director, Pediatric Advocacy Clinic
Todd I. Herrenkohl, PhD, MSW
Marion Elizabeth Blue Professor of Children and Families
School of Social Work
Preeti N. Malani, MD, MSJ
Chief Health Officer
Professor of Medicine, Infectious Disease, Michigan Medicine
Best Paper Award in Child Health Policy Award Winners
2019 - 13th Annual Susan B. Meister Lecture in Child Health Policy
Making Government Work to Reduce Child Hunger
Robert Gordon, JD
Director, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
2018 - 12th Annual Susan B. Meister Lecture in Child Health Policy
The Effects of the Opioid Crisis on Children and Families
Linda Smith
Director, Early Childhood Development Initiative
Bipartisan Policy Center
View Lecture Video
2017 - 11th Annual Susan B. Meister Lecture in Child Health Policy
Refugee & Migrant Child Health: Updates & Opportunities
Curi Kim, M.D., M.P.H.
Director, Division of Refugee Health
Office of Refugee Resettlement
Administration for Children and Families
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
2016 - 10th Annual Susan B. Meister Lecture in Child Health Policy
Concussion & Youth Soccer: Balancing the Risks of Recreational Sports for Children
Brianna Scurry
Legendary U.S. Goalkeeper, Two Time Olympic Gold Medalist
Steve W. Berman, J.D.
Managing Partner, Hagens Berman
2015 - 9th Annual Susan B. Meister Lecture in Child Health Policy
The Power of the Public Eye: Disneyland, Measles, and Public Policy
Karen Smith, M.D., M.P.H.
Director of the California Department of Public Health and State Health Officer
2014 - 8th Annual Susan B. Meister Lecture in Child Health Policy
Moment of Opportunity: Reducing Health Disparities and Advancing Health Equity
J. Nadine Gracia, M.D, M.S.C.E.
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
2013 - 7th Annual Susan B. Meister Lecture in Child Health Policy
The Power of Play
Duncan J. Billing, LLB
Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer, Hasbro, Inc.
2012 - 6th Annual Susan B. Meister Lecture in Child Health Policy
Our Military's Children: Insights from Over a Decade of War
Dr. Jo Ann Rooney
Former Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness
2010 - 4th Annual Susan B. Meister Lecture in Child Health Policy
The Challenges of Child Health in the Developing World
Tachi Yamada, M.D.
President, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Global Health Program
2009 - 3rd Annual Susan B. Meister Lecture in Child Health Policy
Science, the Media and Responsibility for Child Health
Brian Deer
Investigative Reporter, The Sunday Times of London
Catherine DeAngelis, M.D., M.P.H.
Editor-in-Chief, The Journal of the American Medical Association
2008 - 2nd Annual Susan B. Meister Lecture in Child Health Policy
Bridging the Worlds of Business and Public Health
John O. Agwunobi, M.D., M.B.A., M.P.H.
Senior Vice President, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
President, Professional Services Division, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Former U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health, Department of Health and Human Services
2006 - Inaugural Annual Susan B. Meister Lecture in Child Health Policy
Corporate Responsibility in Children's Health
Stephen W. Sanger, M.B.A.
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, General Mills