Dr. Mehmet Oz, Plus Two Chicago Leaders in Medicine: Dr. Eric Whitaker and Donna Thompson, Headline 'A Healthy Chicago' at Murphy Auditorium, Tuesday, February 1

CHICAGO, Jan. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Mehmet Oz, Vice-Chair and Professor of Surgery at Columbia University, New York Times best-selling author and Daytime Emmy award-winning host of "The Dr. Oz Show," joined by Dr. Eric Whitaker, Executive Vice President of the University of Chicago Medical Center, and Donna Thompson, CEO of Access Community Health, will headline a special one-night-only panel discussion, A Healthy Chicago, at the Murphy Auditorium, a property owned and operated by the American College of Surgeons at 50 E. Erie Street, Tuesday, February 1, at 6pm.   This program is sponsored by PNC Bank, and presented by The Chicago Tribune's Chicago Forward: Conversations about the Future, a series of live gatherings of policymakers exploring issues of great importance to the Chicago region.  

A Healthy Chicago will offer an expert discussion, moderated by Chicago Tribune Editorial Page Editor Bruce Dold, on issues related to the future of health care in Chicago. Panelists will then take questions, followed by a complimentary reception where audience members can continue the conversation with panelists and fellow Chicagoans.  

"Chicago Forward is a series of public discussions focusing on issues important to our city, region, state and nation. For 163 years, the Tribune has been one of Chicago's leading citizens, shedding light on news developments and asking hard questions. We now fill that role on stage through this series of events," said Dold.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, Vice-Chair and Professor of Surgery at Columbia University, also directs the Cardiovascular Institute and Complementary Medicine Program at New York Presbyterian Hospital. He has authored over 400 original publications, book chapters, and medical books, has received several patents, and performs more than 100 heart surgeries per year. Previously, Dr. Oz was a featured health expert on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" for over five seasons, spanning 55 episodes, and is now featured on" Ask Oprah's All Stars" on the new Oprah Winfrey Network. In addition to numerous appearances on "Good Morning America," he has also appeared on the "Today" show, "Larry King Live," "The View," guest-hosted the "Charlie Rose" show and appeared on all the evening news broadcasts.   Dr. Oz has authored six New York Times best sellers including "You: The Owner's Manual" and his newest book, "YOU: Having a Baby," was published by Free Press on December 1, 2009. In addition to belonging to every major professional society for heart surgeons, Dr. Oz was named Forbes' #3 most influential celebrity (10), has been honored as one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People (08), and Esquire magazine's 75 Most Influential People of the 21st Century.

Dr. Eric Whitaker, Executive Vice President, Strategic Affiliations and Associate Dean of Community-based Research at the University of Chicago Medical Center, is responsible for leading the Medical Center's Urban Health Initiative, linking the Medical Center's mission of patient care, teaching and research for the purpose of improving the health of South Side residents.  Until October, 2007, Dr. Whitaker served as Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, where he oversaw an agency with a budget of $450 million with over 1,200 employees statewide.   Prior to his appointment at the State, Dr. Whitaker was an attending physician in Internal Medicine at Cook County Hospital in Chicago and a member of its Collaborative Research Unit.  His research interests included HIV/AIDS prevention and minority health, particularly for black males.  He helped found Project Brotherhood: A Black Men's Clinic, a weekly clinic for African American men housed in Woodlawn Adult Health Center, which in 2000 received the highest award accorded by the National Association of Public Hospital and Health Systems.  He received a master's degree in public health from the Harvard School of Public Health and a medical degree from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine.  He also has completed coursework at the Northwestern Kellogg Graduate School of Management.  Until recently, he was an assistant professor at the University of Illinois-Chicago School of Public Health.  

Donna Thompson, R.N., M.S. and CEO of Access Community Health Network since 2004 (and before that, COO since 1995), has led ACCESS to become the largest federally-qualified health center organization in the country, serving more than 215,000 patients annually, nearly 30% who are uninsured, in 60 health centers across the greater Chicago area. As a community organizer concerned with effecting change beyond the health center walls, Ms. Thompson organized the Stand Against Cancer program in 2002 to advocate for increased funding for breast and cervical cancer screenings, resulting in an annual allocation of $4 million from the State of Illinois for the program.  On Mother's Day 2007, she launched Pin-A-Sister™, bringing together members of predominantly African-American and Hispanic congregations to recognize breast cancer survivors and provide key information about preventive screening.  Now a year-round, faith-based health promotion effort, the program has reached 700,000 people in churches and correctional centers. In addition to these successes, Ms. Thompson was named a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Executive Nurse Fellow in 2003. She received the 2007 Chicago Athena Award for her leadership in developing community health and was recognized as one of Chicago United's 2007 Business Leaders of Color.  In 2008, Ms. Thompson received the Chicago National Organization for Women's 2008 Outstanding Community Leader Award.

Tickets for this one-night-only program are priced at $10, and include a post-event reception.

Tickets can be purchased by calling (312) 222-3348 or visiting www.chicagotribune.com/tribnation

The PNC Financial Services Group (NYSE: PNC) is one of the nation's largest financial services companies with assets of $260 billion.  PNC is a diversified financial institution, which includes a regional banking franchise operating primarily in 15 states and the District of Columbia, specialized financial businesses serving companies and government entities, and leading asset management and fund processing businesses.

Chicago Forward is just one part of Trib Nation, a new initiative of community outreach by the Chicago Tribune that also includes Chicago Live!, the weekly live radio show taping showcasing who and what is making news in Chicago each week; TribU, a series of entertaining and educational classes and seminars led by Chicago Tribune professionals; programs by Chicago Tribune columnists and personalities; and a robust variety of literary events including the Printers Row Lit Fest, Tribune literary prizes and monthly AuthorTalks. For 163 years, the Chicago Tribune has been a market-leading newspaper publication of Tribune Company.  Reaching three million readers each week in the greater Chicago area, the publication is known for its award-winning journalism.  The Tribune's news focus is centered on the Chicago experience, community issues and government, the local economy and business, as well as entertainment, culture and sports.

For more information, please visit www.chicagotribune.com/tribnation.

SOURCE Chicago Tribune Media Group