1. Wolverine Caucus: Moms and their Kids – Identifying disparities in care and Supporting Better outcomes

    Mark Rivett posted March 10, 2021

    Wednesday, March 24, 2021

    9:30am – 11:00am

    View Recording here

    Discussion on the critical periods from pregnancy through early childhood is an especially sensitive time for mitigating the multi-generational effects of inequity, trauma, and adversity and promoting mental health. A collaboration across the University of Michigan and the State of Michigan communities to outline a portfolio of research, treatment, training, and advocacy initiatives.

    Panelists

    Vanessa Dalton
    Vanessa Dalton, M.D., M.P.H. Reproductive health services and family planning

    Dr. Dalton’s research interests include family planning and contraception, access to care, healthcare utilization, and human rights. She is Associate Chair of Research in U-M’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the director of the Program on Women’s Health Care Effectiveness Research (PWHER), and Co-Director of the Ryan Residency Training Program. She previously served as Director of the International Family Planning Fellowship in Ghana. Dr. Dalton provides research support and mentorship to numerous faculty, fellows, and students involved in domestic and global health research.

    Maria Muzik MD, MSc
    Associate Professor, UM Department of Psychiatry and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Co-Director, Women and Infants Mental Health Program (WIMHP)

    Dr. Muzik has held a faculty appointment at the University of Michigan Department of Psychiatry since 2006. Her expertise is in women’s mental health, focusing on pregnancy and postpartum, and she conducts cutting-edge research, directs patient care services, and oversees educational programming in these areas.

    Amy Zaagman
    Executive Director, Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health

    Amy Zaagman is the Executive Director of the Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health, an organization of diverse partners comprised of hospital systems, statewide organizations, local public health advocates and individuals with an interest in shaping and influencing state policy that promotes the health and well-being of women, children and families in Michigan since 1983.

    Lynette Beiry
    Strategic Director, Zero to Thrive

    Lynette Biery , PA-C, MSc Lynette Biery is the Director of the Bureau of Family Health Services , with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services where she provides administrative direction and oversight of the Division of Immunization, the Division of Maternal and Infant Health, and the Division of Child and Adolescent Health. She also serves as the Maternal Child Health Director for Michigan. Lynette has extensive experience in clinical care delivery, research, evaluation, program management and administration. She was Project Manager at the MSU Institute for Health Policy where she worked on a variety of research, policy analysis, and quality improvement projects for both public and private sector organizations, covering a range of maternal child health issues.

    What is the Wolverine Caucus?
    Wolverine Caucus members are University of Michigan alumni including legislators, lobbyists, staff, and advisors working in and around State of Michigan government. They meet with U-M experts on timely, relevant public policy subjects during the legislative session. Our mission is to provide diverse forums at which U-M friends can meet one another, enjoy fellowship, exchange views and learn from the world- class talents of U-M faculty and administrators.

    View Recording here

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  2. Wolverine Caucus: Loneliness Among Older Adults

    Mark Rivett posted February 16, 2021

    Friday, February 26, 2021

    10:00am – 11:30am

    Please RSVP for this virtual event here.

    The National Poll on Aging taps into the perspectives of adults age 50-80 from throughout the United States and communicates the public’s voice on a variety of topics, including loneliness, that affect the health and well-being of older Americans and their families. The COVID-19 Coping Study reviews the estimated prevalence of loneliness among US older adults during the early phase of the pandemic, and identifies key sociodemographic characteristics, employment factors, living circumstances, and health-related factors that are associated with loneliness.

    Panelists

    Dr. Preeti Malani
    UM Chief Health Officer and Director of the National Poll on Health Aging

    Dr. Malani is a graduate of the University of Michigan. She received her MD degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine. Prior to medical school, she completed a Masters in Journalism at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. She completed her Internal Medicine residency and Infectious Diseases fellowship at the University of Michigan where she also received a Master’s Degree in Clinical Research Design and Statistical Analysis. Dr. Malani completed fellowship training in Geriatric Medicine at the Oregon Health and Science University. Dr. Malani’s clinical and research interests include infection control and prevention and infections in older adults.

    Dr. Lindsay Kobayashi
    Assistant Professor of Epidemiology and Principal Investigator of the COVID-19 Coping Study

    Dr. Kobayashi studies the social epidemiology of cognitive aging and health equity among low-income older populations. Her current research focuses on life course determinants of cognitive aging in rural South Africa and the population health implications of improving cancer survival rates in the U.S.

    Area Agency on Aging Representative

    Area Agency on Aging (AAA) working to Support Seniors, Caregivers and People with Disabilities. Established in 1974, the Area Agency on Aging is a nonprofit 501(c) 3 organization with a rich history of supporting older adults, people with disabilities and family caregivers in southeast Michigan. AAA helps people access the services and programs they need to remain living independently and with dignity in their own home or with family caregivers. They provide direct care programs for seniors, along with funding and support for many programs provided by our community partner organizations.

    What is the Wolverine Caucus?

    Wolverine Caucus members are University of Michigan alumni including legislators, lobbyists, staff, and advisors working in and around State of Michigan government. They meet with U-M experts on timely, relevant public policy subjects during the legislative session. Our mission is to provide diverse forums at which U-M friends can meet one another, enjoy fellowship, exchange views and learn from the world- class talents of U-M faculty and administrators.


  3. Wolverine Caucus: Re-Opening Michigan: Operating safely and efficiently amid the pandemic

    Mark Rivett posted May 22, 2020

    Friday, May 22, 2020

    Via Zoom
    10:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.

    Public Engagement Artice and Video Here

    The coronavirus pandemic creates a set of complex, unanticipated challenges for businesses and organizations. The Wolverine Caucus will feature Dr. Scott Page and his partnership with the MI Economic Growth Institute working to assist with planning a safe reopening for businesses, municipalities and other organizations. Dr. Page’s guidelines are intended for both leaders and teams in structuring work flow to reduce physical contacts, and for team members wanting to create work lives that maintain a shared sense of mission in spite of limitations or prohibitions on physical connections. Bruce Barron will provide his experiences and how his company is utilizing UM resources to ensure Barron Industries Inc. has a public health informed re-opening.

    Dr. Page’s guidelines are intended for both leaders and teams in structuring work flow to reduce physical contacts, and for team members wanting to create work lives that maintain a shared sense of mission in spite of limitations or prohibitions on physical connections.

    Dr. Scott Page,
    John Seely Brown Distinguished University Professor of Complexity, Social Science, and Management

    Scott Page is the John Seely Brown Distinguished University Professor of Complexity, Social Science, and Management at the University of Michigan. He is also the Williamson family Professor of Business Administration, professor of management and organizations, Stephen M. Ross School of Business; professor of political science, professor of complex systems, and professor of economics, LSA.

    Scott is also an external faculty member of the Santa Fe Institute. In addition to his departmental appointments, Scott holds a faculty associate position at the Institute for Social Research.

    In addition to his academic pursuits, Scott is a highly sought after speaker and frequently gives talks on complex systems to non academic audiences on diversity and on complexity and has consulted on projects ranging from the possibility of panic at Y2K and the demand for movies, to the economic impact of the World Cup.

    Vikesh Chandrashekar,
    Project Manager, Economic Growth Institute

    Vikesh Chandrashekar is a Project Manager at the Economic Growth Institute at the University of Michigan. Under the First Customer Program he supports tech entrepreneurs and start-ups across Michigan by addressing critical gaps in technology commercialization and new-customer acquisition. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a Masters in Industrial and Operations Engineering after completing his B.E in Mechanical Engineering.

    Bruce Barron,
    President and CEO, Barron Industries Inc.

    A 1983 graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a BS in Chemistry. Started career with the Stepan Chemical Company in Northfield, IL before joining the family metal casting and machining business, Barron Industries, in Oxford, MI in 1984.

    Over 35 years of metalcasting and machining experience in sales, engineering, operations and Senior level management. Former Chairman of the Investment Casting division of the American Foundryman’s society, member of the Investment Casting Institute, Vice-Chair of the Oakland Schools Regional Advisory Committee.

    Currently serving on the boards of the Catholic Foundation of Michigan, St Catherine of Siena Academy and past Board Chair of Notre Dame Prep and Marist Academy in Pontiac MI.