program book - UNMC

ADVANCING PARTNERSHIPS: DATA, PRACTICE, AND POLICYKeynote AddressWednesday, December 12 | 8:30 – 9:30 AMImproving MCH in America: A New ApproachINTRODUCTION:This is the best of times. This is the worst of times. Health reform and the new science around life course healthdevelopment offer extraordinary opportunities to improve maternal and child health (MCH) in the United States. However,budgetary crises at all levels may pose serious pitfalls for improving MCH. In these times of new opportunities andchallenges, we need a new approach as well.This discussion will introduce a vision of how we can advance MCH by improving access, quality, integration,accountability and equity. Additionally, this discussion will invite the audience to examine their roles in driving theseimprovements.Audience participation will be encouraged during a dialogue on the challenges and opportunity we face, and whatfederal agencies can do to support the work of state and local MCH epidemiologists as well as local health departments,to advance MCH in our nation.BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:Michael C. Lu, MD, MS, MPHMichael C. Lu, MD, MS, MPH, was named associate administrator of maternal and child health (MCH Bureau Director)of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) on November 3, 2011. Dr. Lu joined HRSA from theUniversity of California, Los Angeles Schools of Medicine and Public Health, where he was Associate Professor ofObstetrics, Gynecology and Public Health. Dr. Lu brings years of experience in MCH research, practice, and policy tohis post at HRSA. Prior to his appointment to lead MCHB, Dr. Lu chaired the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on InfantMortality, and he is well known for his research on racial-ethnic disparities in birth outcomes and his visionary leadershipon life course.21