North Carolina State University’s Park Scholarships Classes of 2020 and 2021 will host the second Gerald H. Elkan Distinguished Lecture in Science and Society, featuring internationally-renowned health services researcher and health policy expert Dr. Nicole Lurie on Monday, September 23 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the James B. Hunt Jr. Library, Duke Energy Hall. The lecture, “Reaching the other side: lessons from the intersection of medicine and policy”, will immediately be followed by a reception, with both events being free and open to the public.

Dr. Lurie currently serves as the strategic advisor to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Initiative and is also a member of the research faculty at Massachusetts General Hospital. Her career, which revolves around health equity and epidemic response, includes directing the Center for Population Health and Health Disparities as a natural scientist and the Paul O’Neill Professor at the RAND Corporation, as well as serving as assistant secretary for preparedness and response at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under President Obama. Given her commitment to contribute to health equity, she continues to practice clinical medicine at a community clinic in Washington, D.C.

In her various roles, Dr. Lurie has led the nation in preventing, responding to, and recovering from the adverse health effects of public health emergencies and disasters, ranging from hurricanes to bioterrorism. She oversaw the federal public response to Hurricane Sandy, H1N1 outbreaks, the Boston Marathon bombing, and the Flint water crisis. For her efforts, Dr. Lurie has received many awards including the Heroine in Health Care Award and being named a Penn Leonard Davis Institute Distinguished Health Policy Fellow.

Having received her B.A. (‘75) and M.D. (‘79) from the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Lurie went on to complete her medical residency and Master of Science in Public Health at the University of California, Los Angeles.

The Gerald H. Elkan Distinguished Lecture on Science and Society was established by its namesake’s former students, associates, and friends in honor of Elkan’s 40-year career as a microbiology professor in NC State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. This lectureship supports an annual talk at NC State by a prominent thought leader.

Dr. Elkan has been deeply involved with the Park Scholarships program since its inception in 1997. Together with his associates, Dr. Elkan has worked closely with the Park Scholars to select Dr. Nicole Lurie as the second Gerald H. Elkan Distinguished Lecture on Science and Society speaker.

posted 2019.07.09