Former U.S. Assistant Surgeon General and Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Health
Rear Admiral Susan J. Blumenthal, M.D., M.P.A., is an internationally renowned medical expert and advocate for improving health and former U.S. Assistant Surgeon General and Senior Global Health and E-Health Advisor in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Blumenthal is recognized as a major force in bringing important public health issues, including global health, women’s health, and mental illness, to scientific and public attention. She is also a leader in the response to emerging disease threats including bioterrorism and pandemic flu.
Experience
Dr. Blumenthal is a Clinical Professor at the Georgetown and Tufts Schools of Medicine and a Distinguished Visiting Professor of Women’s Studies at Brandeis University. Admiral Blumenthal served as the government’s top women’s health expert as the first Deputy Assistant Secretary of Women’s Health and as a White House adviser on these issues. She has been a pioneer in increasing scientific and public attention to women’s health issues. Dr. Blumenthal’s pioneering accomplishments include developing a coordinated national approach to women’s health; establishing the National Centers of Excellence on Women’s Health program; establishing the National Women’s Health Information Center; and fostering public/private sector partnership on AIDS, osteoporosis, girl’s health and disease prevention. She also initiated a unique collaboration with the CIA, NASA and DOD called “From Missiles to Mammograms” that improved the early detection of breast cancer and served as Co-Chair of the National Action Plan on Breast Cancer, a Presidential initiative. She has served as the Chair of many national and international commissions and conferences.
Pioneer for Internet Medicine
Dr. Blumenthal served as Senior E-Health Advisor in the US Department of Health and Human Services where she envisioned and established five award winning Federal health website portals including the first in the government for health, 4women.gov. She also established nutrition.gov, safeyouth.org, 4collegewomen.org. and significantly enhanced globalhealth.gov as well as chaired an initiative to integrate many HHS websites into a single user friendly portal.
Media Contributor
Dr. Blumenthal served as the health columnist for US News and World Report and Elle magazines and as host and medical director of an award winning television series on health. In addition, she is the Public Health Editor for The Huffington Post.
Awards and Recognition
She is a member of the Board of Directors of Save the Children, the Meridian International Center and the Academy of Achievement. Admiral Blumenthal has received numerous awards including honorary doctorates for her landmark accomplishments including her leadership in applying information technology to improve health and has been named by the New York Times, the Medical Herald, and the National Library of Medicine as one of the most influential women in medicine.
Sought-After Speaker
As a professional speaker, Dr. Blumenthal provides her audiences examples of her firsthand experience in the federal government, and of how health issues are handled at the national and global levels. She also discusses current issues facing women’s health, the response to pandemic flu, and healthcare reform.
Areas of Expertise: Military Background, Health Care, Biotechnology, Women’s Health, Women Achievers & Motivation, and Women in Health & Wellness.
Healthy Aging
In this presentation, Dr. Blumenthal discusses the economic impact of aging and explores global trends in health care for elderly people. She explains what is known about the science of aging, including changes in chromosomes, the neuroscience of aging, the relationship between brain health and cardiovascular disease, and steps all of us can take for a healthier future.
Critical Women's Health Issues in the 21st Century
At the beginning of the 20th century, the major killers of American women were infectious diseases and complications of childbirth. Today, the leading killer of women is chronic disease. These include cancer, heart disease, cancer, chronic lung disease, stroke as well as Alzheimer's and diabetes. Dr. Susan Blumenthal addresses these health issues facing American women at the beginning of the 21st century. Blumenthal highlights women's health across her life span including important new information, cutting edge advances, and the steps each woman can take towards a healthier future.
Global Health Issues in the 21st Century
In this presentation, Dr. Susan Blumenthal talks about the critical health issues facing our country and our world today. With international trade, travel, and telecommunications, the world is shrinking, causing greater threat for the travel of infectious and chronic diseases. Blumenthal discusses preparedness and prevention as cornerstones to meeting and defeating emerging health threats, such as infectious diseases, avian flu, bioterrorism, and obesity, to ensure a healthier future for ourselves and our world.
