University of Miami President Donna Shalala’s address on the “Future of Health Care” at the Eleventh Biennial Ralph H. and Ruth F. Gross Lecture on November 17, 2011, was a resounding success. The video may be viewed at: http://med.miami.edu/news/president-shalala-shares-her-optimism-for-health-care-reforms-future.

Dr. Mary Moore, Chair of the Department of Health Informatics and Executive Director of Medical Librarians and Biomedical Communications, provided the opening comments on the history of the Gross Lecture, thanking the Gross Family, Mrs. Patricia Bergman, Mrs. Carol Gross Clarkson, Ms. Joanna Clarkson, and family friend, Mr. Lou Compton. She introduced Dean Pascal Goldschmidt as an innovative leader, a prolific researcher and writer, and honored Tenth Biennial Gross Lecturer.

Dean Pascal Goldschmidt welcomed the group, saying, “We are very lucky at the Miller School of Medicine to have … [the Calder Library] bringing information to our fingertips.” He then introduced President Donna Shalala as someone “…ranked with the superstars – Super Woman!”

President Shalala immediately won over the audience with her opening statement: “I love libraries,” and by sharing a personal story about pouring over the biographies of famous women at her local library when she was a young child.

Her lecture traced the history of initiatives to gain healthcare for everyone in the United States. As she circulated through the audience, engaging all who listened, she brought to life the story on the beginning of Medicaid, from Franklin Roosevelt to Lyndon Johnson. She turned the discussion to current events by talking about the importance of health coverage for everyone.vShe said it was important to help people without coverage who might wait too long to see the doctor, ending up even sicker before finally going to the hospital, where the cost of healthcare is significantly higher.

At the reception that followed, some audience members stated that this was the first time they understood what the health care plan was about. President Shalala distilled the information in a clear way that met the needs of those familiar with the plan, as well as those who understood the details for the first time. Betty Gordon, a UNICO employee at the University of Miami, said, “I do not get to hear the President speak very often because I am trying to keep the area clean, but this time I got to listen. Her presentation touched my heart. She is a great woman.”

The Calder Library faculty and staff thank the Gross Family, President Shalala, Dean Goldschmidt, our friends and colleagues who attended the event, our hardworking partners in Medical Development, Medical Communications, and Facilities and Support Services, and all the many others who helped make the event a success.