s most Momentum readers know, President William Chace has declared this first year of the new millennium at Emory as the "Year of Reconciliation." A year-long series of talks, seminars, exhibits, performances, and other activities has been scheduled to explore the theme of reconciliation and how it relates to the full range of university missions, goals, activities, and aspirations. The Year of Reconciliation was officially inaugurated in January, with a keynote speech by former President Jimmy Carter and a series of further presentations and seminar discussions. Many of these presentations and the full calendar of this and other events to be held throughout the spring can be found at the Reconciliation Symposium website.

As part of this university-wide effort, the Woodruff Health Sciences Center is sponsoring a reconciliation program entitled "Health Professional: Healer or Line Worker?" This event will take place on Tuesday, May 22, in the WHSCAB Auditorium and will focus on whether and how health professionals can reconcile their professional responsibilities with the realities of the new cost-driven health care environment. A representative panel of six to eight Emory clinicians and scientists will present their perspectives and experiences in this difficult new environment. Some will be individuals who feel they have "figured it out" and are able to share success stories and strategies. Some will be individuals still struggling to cope. After all the presentations, the audience will be invited to ask questions or to share their own experiences and coping strategies.

Michael Johns, Director,
Woodruff Health Sciences Center

The program will be moderated by David Blumenthal, associate professor of medicine and health policy at Harvard Medical School. He also directs the Institute for Health Policy and is chief of the Health Policy Research and Development Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Blumenthal is a thought-leader in several areas of health policy as well as an active medical doctor and educator.

It is my hope and expectation that this unique, faculty-focused WHSC program will generate much in the way of good, constructive, and creative dialogue and will provide important ideas that we can follow up.

Mark your calendar! I hope to see you there.

Michael M. E. Johns

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