Leading Voices in Public Health Lecture Series: Ten Years and Counting

2017 saw the College of Public Health’s Leading Voices in Public Health lecture series pass the ten-year mark since its beginning.  The lecture series brings internationally respected thought leaders to the community to speak on issues of key importance to the public’s health and wellbeing.  The topics are purposely diverse, reflecting the broad interests and impact of public health.   

Since the series began, 53 Leading Voices events have featured 71 speakers and performers, including former Vice President Al Gore, two former Surgeon Generals and one former senator; seven current or former Tennessee commissioners or agency heads; more than ten performance artists; senior federal leaders; representatives of non-profit and/or non-governmental organizations; and representatives of higher education.

The cumulative attendance at the events is over 10,000, and the 41 lectures for which there are archived videos have been viewed over 14,000 times.  

“I am honored that so many distinguished individuals have chosen to accept our invitation to come to our region,” said Dr. Randy Wykoff, Dean of the ETSU College of Public Health.  “These lectures not only provide us important information and new perspectives, but they also help build collaborations and partnerships.”

The college co-sponsors one event each year with the Mary B. Martin School of the Arts (the “Evening of Health, Wellness, and the Arts”) and one event a year with the Department of Philosophy and the Humanities (the “Justice, Health and Humanities Lecture”.)  The largest “in person” attendance was for former Vice President Al Gore, with over 3,500 people.  The largest view of archived material is Robin Spielberg with almost 1,500 views.