By ANNE GREGORY
Media Relations, Manchester University

NORTH MANCHESTER — A nationally renowned expert on the U.S. healthcare system will speak at Manchester University.

Karen Davis is director of the Roger C. Lipitz Center for Integrated Health Care at Johns Hopkins University. The center, which is part of the Bloomberg School of Public Health, explores practical, cost-effective approaches to comprehensive, coordinated and compassionate health care for chronically ill people.

She will give a progress report on the Affordable Care Act and how it is beginning to change the way healthcare is organized, delivered and financed. The Harry ’35 and Jeanette Henney Lecture is 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, in Cordier Auditorium on the North Manchester campus. It is free and open to the public.

Davis will examine early evidence that our health system is yielding better care and patient outcomes at lower cost. The presentation is part of the University’s Values, Ideas and the Arts series.

An economist with a career in public policy and research, Davis was president of The Commonwealth Fund, a national philanthropy focused on independent research on health and social policy issues.  Davis served as deputy assistant secretary for health policy in the Department of Health and Human Services from 1977 to 1980.

She will also speak Thursday, Oct. 1, at the MU Fort Wayne campus to students, faculty and invited professionals, as space allows. For more information, contact the Office of the President at (260) 982-5050.