Jefferson leadership continues to be central to embedding ethics into the future of science. In May, the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Culture will join with the Cura Foundation for its Fifth International Vatican Conference (May 6-8, 2021), featuring Jefferson’s Dr. Stephen Klasko and Dr. David Nash.
Cura Foundation President Dr. Robin Smith received an honorary doctorate from Jefferson in 2019.
“I am thrilled to remain deeply involved with the remarkable work of Dr. Robin Smith and her colleagues at CURA,” said David Nash, MD, dean emeritus of the Jefferson College of Population Health. “Paul Farmer, Walter Ricciardi and Chelsea Clinton are global figures who have committed their lives to reducing disparities in healthcare. Jefferson is fully aligned with this global goal, and yet we recognize that we have much work to do in our own backyard. When CURA turns its’ attention to reducing disparities in care, it highlights just how important our work truly is, both globally and locally. I am proud to be a part of this incredible meeting.”
This conference is the result of a partnership between the Cura Foundation and the Vatican to help shape ethical, far-thinking solutions to global health problems. This year’s new digital conference unites leading physicians, scientists, leaders of faith, ethicists, patient advocates, policymakers, philanthropists, and influencers for conversations on breakthroughs in medicine, healthcare delivery, and prevention, as well as the anthropological outcomes and the cultural impact of technological advances.
“We are seeing a rapid shift to digital health, which must be built with ethics, equity and trust from the very beginning,” said Stephen K. Klasko, MD, MBA, President of Thomas Jefferson University and CEO of Jefferson Health. “I believe the world faces two existential threats – climate change and health disparities. It’s our responsibility to make a difference.”
Shaping the Future of Health Care for a Healthier World
The new vision for health care is not only about access, quality, and affordability. It’s also about predictive, preventive, and outcomes-based care models that promote social and financial inclusion. The conference’s opening session will feature Dr. Klasko, along with Dr. David Fineberg of Google Health, Dr. Mark McClellan and Dr. Robert J. Margolis of Duke University.
Medicine Outside the Hospital
The shift to connected care outside the hospital can reduce costs, but requires a effort to bridge the digital divide. Dr. Klasko will join Joseph M. DeVivo, the president of Teladoc Health, and Jonathan J. Bush, Jr, of Firefly Health.
Building A More Equitable Health System for All
Visionaries who have dedicated their lives to strengthening health systems and eliminating health disparities across vulnerable and disenfranchised populations share how their innovative initiatives and geographically targeted investments will improve human health around the world. Their mission: building a more equitable health system for all.
Dr. Nash will moderate a session with Dr. Paul Farmer of Harvard Medical School, Dr. Walter Ricciardi, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, and Chelsea Clinton of the Clinton Foundation.
Dr. Nash previously attend this conference in the Vatican in 2018, and shared these photos with Katy Perry and Pope Francis, from that trip.
