This year’s speaker is Susan Dentzer, a frequent guest and commentator on the NewsHour and National Public Radio. Dentzer is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Network for Excellence in Health Innovation, a not-for-profit think tank and membership organization that seeks innovative ways to advance health, improve health care, and produce smarter health care spending. With offices in, Cambridge, MA, and Washington, DC, NEHI represents more than 80 organizations across the spectrum of health and health care.
The 2017 Transforming Health Series event will be held on Thursday, November 9 at 11 a.m. in the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. This is a free event and open to the public. Dentzer will be speaking on "Rural Health and Health Care in America: Challenges and Opportunities". For additional information on Dentzer, please visit the Network for Excellence in Health Innovation website: http://www.nehi.net/about/33-susan-dentzer/view-staff-member
History of the BCBS Transforming Health Series: In 2011, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) demonstrated its support of Appalachian State University’s Beaver College of Health Sciences with a $2 million grant to support the college in its mission to prepare health professionals in order to improve the quality of life for citizens in our region. The grant also assists the College’s ability to provide health-related outreach services throughout the High Country.
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Distinguished Lecture Series was created to bring leading voices in health sciences, health care, and health professions to the Appalachian campus and Watauga county. The lecturers are selected to give meaningful insight and educate students, regional professionals, and the public on advances and changing areas in the health care industry.
In recognition of this gift, Appalachian State University and the Beaver College of Health Sciences established the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Distinguished Lecture Series in 2013. In October of that year, J. Bradley “Brad” Wilson, president and chief executive officer of BCBSNC was the first keynote speaker at a special co-presentation of the inaugural Blue Cross and Blue Shield Lecture and the 52nd Harlan E. Boyles Distinguished CEO Lecture sponsored by the Walker College of Business. In 2016, the decision was made to update the series’ name to the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Transforming Health Series.
Susan Dentzer
Susan Dentzer