North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen, MD, is the keynote speaker next week at the National Academy of Medicine’s (NAM) health care symposium Nov. 21–22, 2019 at the North Carolina Biotechnology Center in Durham.
The symposium, Vital Directions for Health and Healthcare: The North Carolina Experience, will be examining state-based capacity and lessons-learned for guiding health policy, as well as synergies among institutions and organizations from around the country that could lead to a more equitable future for health care.
In addition to Secretary Cohen, DHHS’s State Health Director and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Elizabeth Tilson, MD. MPH, Chief Data Officer Jessie Tenenbaum, PhD and Deputy Secretary for Health Services Ben Money, MPH are also featured on the agenda. They will share how the department is investing in whole person health working toward the integration of physical, behavioral and social health.
The panel topics are oriented around the streamlined framework resulting from the 2016 Vital Directions publication — a core set of eight strategic action priorities and essential infrastructure needs. While the focus will primarily be on state-based innovations and challenges, the initiative will also bring in national-level perspectives and insights.
Gov. Roy Cooper is scheduled to make opening remarks at 9:15 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21. Secretary Cohen will follow the governor at 9:30 a.m.