Susan B. Meister Lecture in Child Health Policy
In 2006, CHEAR began organizing the Susan B. Meister Lecture in Child Health Policy. The goal of this lecture series is to spark discussion among the University of Michigan community on key issues affecting child health, such as housing, education, and the media. The lecture series features a keynote speech and a panel discussion from distinguished speakers.
Save the Date!
19th Annual Susan B. Meister Lecture in Child Health Policy
Keynote Speaker: Carol Hutchins
March 23, 2027 4:00-6:00 PM
Michigan League Ballroom
Lecture Archive
2026
18th Annual Susan B. Meister Lecture in Child Health Policy
Sound Foundations: New Approaches to Child Music Education and Appreciation
Keynote Speaker:
Nicola Benedetti
World Class, GRAMMY Award-winning Violinist
Director of the Edinburgh International Festival
Founder and Artistic Director, The Benedetti Foundation
Music Education Advocate
Panelists:
Stefan Dohr
Principal Horn,
Berliner Philharmoniker
Renata Rangel
2025 University of Michigan School of Music Alumni, Percussion Performance
Carlos Simon, DMA
Adjunct Associate Professor, Georgetown University
2017 University of Michigan School of Music Alumni, DMA, Composition
Katrina Stroud
Current Graduate Student, University of Michigan School of Music, Violin Performance
Moderator:
Kao-Ping Chua, MD, MPH
Director, Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center
Closing Remarks:
Matthew VanBesien
President, University Musical Society
This lecture was sponsored by the Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center and the University Musical Society
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
Keynote Speaker:
Anthony White
Artistic Director for the Detroit Youth Concert Choir and Performing Arts Company
Introductory Remarks:
Matthew VanBesien
President, University Musical Society
Panelists:
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 (CHEAR) 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
Keynote Speaker:
Adrianne Todman
Acting Secretary, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Panelists:
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
Keynote Speaker:
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. Thurnau 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
Keynote Speaker:
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
2019
13th Annual Susan B. Meister Lecture in Child Health Policy
Making Government Work to Reduce Child Hunger
Keynote Speaker:
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
Keynote Speaker:
Linda Smith
Director, Early Childhood Development Initiative
Bipartisan Policy Center
2017
11th Annual Susan B. Meister Lecture in Child Health Policy
Refugee & Migrant Child Health: Updates & Opportunities
Keynote Speaker:
Curi Kim, MD, MPH
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
Keynote Speaker:
Brianna Scurry
Legendary U.S. Goalkeeper, Two Time Olympic Gold Medalist
Steve W. Berman, JD
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
Keynote Speaker:
Karen Smith, MD, MPH
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
Keynote Speaker:
J. Nadine Gracia, MD, MSCE
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
Keynote Speaker:
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
Keynote Speaker:
Jo Ann Rooney, JD, LLM, EdD
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
Keynote Speaker:
Tachi Yamada, MD
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
Keynote Speaker:
Brian Deer
Investigative Reporter, The Sunday Times of London
Catherine DeAngelis, MD, MPH
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
Keynote Speaker:
John O. Agwunobi, MD, MBA, MPH
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
Keynote Speaker:
Stephen W. Sanger, MBA
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, General Mills