For Immediate Release
Contact:
John M. Martino
Phone Number: (215) 895-1186
Date: 05/20/02
University
of the Sciences in Philadelphia Celebrates 181st Commencement
University
of the Sciences in Philadelphia (USP) will present honorary degrees to
three prominent leaders in the health and science community as part of
USP's 181st Commencement celebration, which will be held for
the first time in the new Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 260 South
Broad Street, on Tuesday, May 21, 11 a.m.
Dr. Arthur Caplan, director of the Center for Bioethics and Trustee
Professor of Bioethics at University of Pennsylvania; Dr. Gail R. Wilensky,
the John M. Olin Senior Fellow at Project HOPE; and Gloria Glasser, secretary
and treasurer of The Glasser Family Foundation, Inc., will be acknowledged
for their respective contributions to the areas of health and science.
Arthur
Caplan
Dr.
Arthur Caplan has established a distinguished career examining the ethical
frontiers of modern medicine and inspiring informed public debate on the
critical health-care
issues facing human society. Dr.
Caplan has served as director of the Center for Bioethics and Trustee
Professor of Bioethics at University of Pennsylvania since 1994. Previously, he was the director for the Center for Biomedical
Ethics and professor of philosophy and professor of surgery at University
of Minnesota. He is currently the chairman of
the Advisory Committee to the Department of Health and Human Services,
Centers for Disease Control and Food and Drug Administration on Blood
Safety and Availability.
For
years, Dr. Caplan has been looking at how biotechnology is mapping out
new frontiers in our future. He is internationally recognized as an expert
on genetic cloning and genetic testing, and sought after for his advice
on transplants, artificial organs and genetically engineered foods and
medicines. The U.S. Government and leading policy makers turn to him when
they are tackling sensitive and timely issues such as stem cell research,
eugenics and the consequences of slowing or reversing aging or retooling
the human brain.
Dr.
Caplan has published many books and scientific articles, most recently,
Ethics and Organ Transplants (1999). He has lectured widely and
is a frequent commentator in the media. In 1998 he received the McGovern
Medal from the American Medical Writers Association. Dr. Caplan graduated with a B.A. from Brandeis University in
1971 and received his Ph.D. from Columbia University in 1979.
Gail
R. Wilensky
Dr.
Gail R. Wilensky has been recognized for her international leadership
in promoting health care reform and her untiring efforts to ensure access
to health care for all. Dr.Wilensky's
professional career uniquely combines the analytical skills of a policy
researcher, the political insights of an advisor to the Congress and a
former Presidential appointee, and the administrative skills of a manager
of both large and small organizations. As the John M. Olin Senior Fellow
at Project HOPE, she analyzes and develops policies relating to health
reform and to ongoing changes in the medical market place.
Dr. Wilensky also serves as chair of the Medicare Payment Advisory
Commission. Previously, she chaired the Physician Payment Review Commission.
In
her current positions, she testifies frequently before Congressional Committees,
acts as an advisor to Members of Congress and other elected officials,
and is a frequent speaker for professional, business, and consumer groups.
Among
her previous positions, she served as deputy assistant to the President
for Policy Development, administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration
(HCFA) in the Department of Health and Human Services, and vice-president
of health affairs at Project HOPE.
She also has been a researcher at several research centers and
on the faculty of two universities.
Dr.
Wilensky earned a B.A. in Psychology and a Ph.D. in Economics from the
University of Michigan.
Gloria
Glasser
Gloria
Glasser has made outstanding contributions to patient care through her
dedication to enriching the lives of children with disabilities, and her
philanthropic leadership in health care and health-science education.
She and her husband, Abraham (Class of '43), a successful business
leader, introduced into the United States and Canada two surgical spine
systems that became the products of choice: Universal Instrumentation
(CD) and the Zielke (V.D.S.). Mrs.
Glasser has also been deeply involved with the Spina Bifida Association
and with The Woodlands in Wexford, Pa., which provides enriching programs
for children with chronic disabilities.
In
1951, the Glassers founded Stuart's Drug and Surgical Supply. They later
added divisions for laboratory supplies, anesthesia supplies and surgical
implant products to the thriving prescription drug and surgical supply
company. In the late 1950s,
they created a patient profile for the United Mine Workers that permitted
monitoring of patients via a computerized program.
The profile was one of the first such programs devised in the healthcare
industry. In the late 1970s,
the Glassers implemented Stuart's One-Step, a direct-order entry system
enabling hospitals to purchase supplies by computer.
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