In celebration of National Public Health Week, St. Mary’s University will host a panel discussion with local health experts on Tuesday, April 22, to explore the significant factors impacting public health in Bexar County. The experts bring a variety of real-world experiences, from serving on the front lines in the medical field to educating in the classroom and advocating for public health.
To continue St. Mary’s University’s dedicated pursuit of fostering meaningful dialogue for our community’s well-being, the St. Mary’s Center for Catholic Studies will present the latest in the conversation series called Finding Common Ground for the Common Good. The discussion is free and open to the public. It will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, in the University Center, Mengler Conference Room.
Nelson Wolff
The Hon. Nelson Wolff (B.B.A. ’66, J.D. ’66), former Bexar County Judge who is now a St. Mary’s Distinguished Service Professor, will moderate the event, Public Health: Treatment, Prevention and Infrastructure in Bexar County.
A 2023 report from the University Health System identified health disparities across the county, especially in South Bexar County. The community priorities for improving health outcomes included addressing risk factors and disparities associated with a variety of conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, behavioral health, prenatal health, and injuries from violence and abuse.
“The health of our residents drives many of the outcomes for our city and county,” Wolff said. “Through shared insights, the upcoming Finding Common Ground for the Common Good discussion will lead the conversation toward improving public health. Enabling our neighbors to work, grow and thrive benefits us all.”
Additional panelists include:
Janet Armitage, Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Sociology and Professor of Sociology, St. Mary’s University Christine Erevelles, M.D., FACEP, System Quality Director, Baptist Neighborhood Hospitals George B. Hernández Jr., J.D. (B.A. ’74), Former President and CEO, University Health System, and St. Mary’s University Trustee Vasan Ramachandran, M.D., FACC, FAHA, Founding Dean of the UT School of Public Health San Antonio
Original source can be found here.