ANGELS panelists and moderator profiles

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[b]ANGELS IN ANN ARBOR: a2ethics.org Panelists[/b] A number of distinguished individuals are participating in our upcoming Angels in Ann Arbor panel discussions. Representing diverse fields, these professionals bring to the event their unique records of accomplishment as well as a wide range of experience, academic knowledge, practical expertise and wisdom. First, our moderator for the panel discussions is David Shalowitz, a member of the a2ethics.org advisory board. He is a medical student at the University of Michigan and a member of its Bioethics program. After receiving his BA from Brown University in biology and religious studies, he completed a 2 year fellowship in bioethics at the National Institutes of Health. He has published and presented on several topics in medical ethics, including doctor-patient communication, decision-making at the end of life, and the ethics of research with human subjects. Shalowitz also serves on the Adult Ethics Committee of the University of Michigan Health System. There are two panel discussions. Detailed information on each and panelist profiles are as follows: [b]Panel Discussion #1 When: Friday, February 8, 2008 from 7-8:30 P.M. with a half hour for questions afterward.Where: Blackbird Theatre, 1600 Pauline Blvd., Ann Arbor[/b] [i]Topic: "I'm Sorry to Tell You This: The Ethics of Giving and Receiving Bad News"[/i] [u]Panelists[/u]: Jesse Bernstein--President and CEO, Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce (www.annarborchamber,org) In 2006, Jesse Bernstein was selected to direct the largest business organization in Washtenaw County, based on his long-standing commitment to community service in the area as well as his business leadership and experience. After receiving his Masters of Social Work from the University of Michigan in 1970, he worked in the community mental health field. He then went on to found and grow two successful human resource service organizations, Employee Assistance Associates, and most recently, Strategic Performance Planners. Bernstein has served on many nonprofit and professional association Boards, and has been an influential advocate for a2ethics.org since its inception. Kate Linebaugh--Fellow, Michigan Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellows Program at the University of Michigan (http://www.umich.edul-mjfellow/) Kate Linebaugh is the recipient of the 2007-2008 Karsten Prager Fellowship in International Journalism at the University of Michigan Journalism Fellows Program. The program offers mid-career media professionals a year off to pursue an academic interest that is professionally and personally enriching. Linebaugh is on sabbatical from The Wall Street Journal in Hong Kong, where she most recently covered Asian business issues, including the ethical dilemmas posed by the economic growth and shift to consumerism in China. She has also worked as a finance journalist for Bloomberg News in Indonesia and in Hong Kong. Her knowledge and experience of Asia extend well beyond business ethics. In 2002, she reported on the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). In 2004, Linebaugh was witness to the devastation of the Asian tsunami that hit 11 countries and reportedly killed over 225,000 people. James F. Peggs, MD--Professor and Senior Associate Chair of Family Medicine at the University of Michigan (http://www.med.umich.edulmedschool/dean/deans.peggs.htm). Jim Peggs was among the first faculty members to be appointed to the Michigan Department of Family Medicine in 1978. In addition to his current teaching and administrative duties, Dr. Peggs is the Assistant Dean of Student Programs for the Michigan medical school, the office responsible for medical student career counseling and development. Until 2000, Dr. Peggs served as the deputy medical examiner for Washtenaw County, a position he held for 21 years. He has received numerous honors and awards during his career for teaching excellence and clinical practice. Dr. Peggs also contributes his time and expertise to several local nanprofits, including the Packard Community Clinic. Mark Randolph, PhD--Ann Arbor Greenhills School Varsity Girls' and Boys' Tennis Coach (www.greenhillsschool.org). Mark Randolph is in his 23rd season of coaching high school and youth tennis in the Ann Arbor area. A former college tennis standout, he is currently Head Coach of the Girls' Varsity Tennis team and Assistant Coach of the Boys' Varsity team at Ann Arbor Greenhills school. He also coached the Saline High School Varsity Boys' Tennis team for nine seasons. Randolph's teams are regular contenders for state titles. Most recently, the Greenhills Boys' Varsity team won the 2007 State Championship. Randolph, who holds a PhD in English from the University of Michigan, also teaches English and is the 10th grade principal at Greenhills. He is recognized in the local community for his successful efforts in nurturing excellence in both sport and academics. [b]Panel Discussion #2 When: Friday, February 15, 2008 from 7-8:30 P.M. with a half hour for questions afterward. Where: Blackbird Theatre, 1600 Pauline Boulevard, Ann Arbor, Michigan[/b] [i]Topic: "Relying on the Kindness of Strangers and Angels: Should Community Members Have a Role in Deciding What's Fair and How Funds Should Be Spent in Responding to an Epidemic?"[/i] [u]Panelists:[/u] Barbara Levin Bergman, MSW--Washtenaw County Commissioner (www.ewashtenaw.org/government/boc) Commissioner Bergman has served on the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners since 1993. Members of the board are elected to represent the citizens of Washtenaw County and are responsible for all county services, including health, housing, and public safety and justice. Commissioner Bergman is also chair of the board's Ways & Means Committee and represents the county on several commissions, including the Homeland Security Task Force. She was a founding member of the board of the Washtenaw Community Health Organization, a group that coordinates mental health services for county residents. In addition, she has served on the Emergency Medical Services Commission, a group responsible for oversight of county services that protect the health and safety of the community from large-scale emergencies, such as epidemics and natural disasters. Lieutenant Myron D. Blackwell--City of Ann Arbor Emergency Management and 911 Communications Director (www.a2gov.org/government/safetyservices/emergencymanagement) Lieutenant Myron D. Blackwell is currently the City of Ann Arbor Emergency Management and 911 Communications Director, a position he was appointed to by the mayor in 2003. He has held various administrative positions and been in public service with the City of Ann Arbor for 20 years. In his current role, Lt. Blackwell is responsible for a diverse range of management and training activities, among them: coordinating the Cityís disaster response resources and its homeland security program, as well as developing the Cityís comprehensive emergency management preparedness, response and recovery programs. He holds BA and Masters degrees in Political Science and Interdisciplinary Technology from Eastern Michigan University. In addition, Lieutenant Blackwell has graduated from several professional development and education programs, including the Michigan State Police Professional and Emergency Management Program, the Senior Management Institute for Police, and Eastern Michigan Universityís School of Staffing and Command. John Chamberlin, PhD--Professor of Political Science and Public Policy, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan (http://www.fordschool.@umich.edu) Professor Chamberlin holds a dual appointment at the University of Michigan, where he began teaching in 1970 after earning his PhD at Stanford University. He is the first director of the Ford School's BA in Public Policy program. From 2004 to 2006, he was on the founding committee and served as co-director of the President's Initiative on Ethics in Public Life, an innovative endeavor that seeks to establish the University of Michigan as a leader in teaching, research and discourse on ethics in public life (www.umich.edu/pres/ethics/). Professor Chamberlin also teaches courses on values, ethics and public policy. Among his extensive published work is an ethics-related article archived on the Carnegie Council on Ethics and International Affairs web site (www.cceia.org), one of the websites that a2ethics.org often consults as a well-regarded resource. Ellen Clement, MPH, MSW--Director, Washtenaw County Public Health Department (www.ewashtenaw.org/most_requested/government.departments/public_ health) Ellen Clement is director of the Washtenaw County Public Health Department, where she has held various administrative posts since 1986. As the top public health officer, Clement is responsible for oversight of public health services for the county's residents, now totaling 343,252. Under her leadership, the department most recently earned the Michigan Special Public Health Community Achievement Award. Clement holds masters degrees in public health and social work, both from the University of Michigan. In addition, she is a member of numerous professional organizations, several of which are ethics-related or which bear directly on panel #2 discussion topics. These include the American Society of Law, Medicine and Ethics (www.aslme.org), the University Academic Center for Public Health Preparedness (http://practice.sph.umich.edu/micphp/index.php), and the Washtenaw County Emergency Medical Services Commission.