Last modified: Monday, November 27, 2006
Surgeon General to spotlight IUB's public health role in state, nation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NOV. 27, 2006
EDITORS: Rear Adm. Kenneth P. Moritsugu, M.D., will be available for questions from reporters on Wednesday (Nov. 29) from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Faculty Room of the University Club in the Indiana Memorial Union. His public address will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the IMU's Whittenberger Auditorium. Limited media parking will be available along the south drive of the IMU, and other parking will be available in the pay lots adjacent to the IMU and on 7th Street. For more information, contact Debra Kent at 812-855-3686 or dskent@indiana.edu.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Acting U.S. Surgeon General Kenneth P. Moritsugu will visit Indiana University Bloomington tomorrow and Wednesday (Nov. 28-29) to talk with the university community and general public about IU's role in improving the health and prosperity of Hoosiers and the nation.
Rear Adm. Moritsugu will address this topic when he delivers a free public address on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in the Indiana Memorial Union's Whittenberger Auditorium. The lecture, which is part of the 60th anniversary celebration of IUB's School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, will be streamed live at https://broadcast.iu.edu. Larger items, such as bookbags, carried by those people attending the lecture may need to be checked at the door as part of security for the event.
Moritsugu was invited to campus by Mohammad Torabi, chair of HPER's Department of Applied Health Science, and Indiana State Health Commissioner Judith Monroe, M.D., to discuss how IUB's public health resources might be employed more effectively to address Hoosiers' pressing health needs. Those needs include disturbingly high rates of cancer deaths, smoking, obesity, diabetes and heart attacks.
"We're looking forward to meeting with Surgeon General Moritsugu," Monroe said. "His knowledge and experience can lead to ideas that could help improve, and even save, thousands of Hoosier lives."
Torabi said Moritsugu's visit is a "wonderful opportunity" for the Department of Applied Health Science to demonstrate the importance and impact of public health in preventing premature death and suffering, and "promoting health for our fellow Hoosiers."
"This impact clearly translates into a healthy workforce and lower health care costs and not only prevents human suffering, but significantly impacts economic development and prosperity for the Hoosier state," Torabi said. "Addressing the personal health and wellness of Hoosiers is part of Indiana University's Life Sciences Strategic Plan." (See https://lifesciences.iu.edu/strategic/.)
IU already spends more than $400 million each year on research and initiatives involving the life sciences, with efforts ranging from basic research and clinical trials to patient outreach services and strategic business initiatives to speed the development of new discoveries. Throughout his visit, Mortisugu will talk with students, faculty and administrators about ways IU and other universities can work more closely with the state, its 94 local health departments and other public, not-for-profit and private sectors.
Moritsugu was appointed acting U.S. Surgeon General in July. A career officer in the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, Moritsugu served as an Assistant Surgeon General beginning with Surgeon General C. Everett Koop in 1988.
Moritsugu was born and raised in Honolulu. Having completed residencies in internal medicine and preventive medicine, Moritsugu is board certified in preventive medicine and is a certified correctional health professional. He also holds fellowships in the American College of Preventive Medicine, the Royal Society of Health and the Royal Society of Medicine. He is an adjunct professor of public health at the George Washington University School of the Health Sciences and adjunct associate professor of preventive medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.
For more information, contact Debra Kent at 812-855-3686 or dskent@indiana.edu.
