California Endowment president Robert Ross to speak on April 23

Thursday, April 05, 2012

Robert Ross, president and CEO of the California Endowment, will visit Claremont Graduate University on Monday, April 23, to give a talk entitled "On Skittles, the Supreme Court and Social Change…  Seeking Justice Through Healthy Communities."

The talk is scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. in room 16 of the Burkle Building, 1021 N. Dartmouth Ave. It is free and open to the public. Food will be provided. RSVP to nancy.cavin@cgu.edu, or (909) 607-7121.

Ross is one of California's most influential leaders in health policy.

During his tenure at The California Endowment, the foundation has focused on the health needs of underserved Californians by championing the cause of health coverage for all children, strengthening the capacity of community health centers, improving health services for farm worker and ex-offender populations, and strengthening the pipeline for bringing racial and ethnic diversity to the health professions.

The endowment was established in 1996 to expand access to affordable, quality health care for underserved individuals and communities, and to promote fundamental improvements in the health status of all Californians. The endowment makes grants to organizations and institutions that directly benefit the health and well-being of the people of California.

Ross has led the endowment since September 2000. He served as director of the Health and Human Services Agency for the County of San Diego from 1993 to 2000, and Commissioner of Public Health for the City of Philadelphia from 1990 to 1993.

He has an extensive background as a clinician and public health administrator. His service includes: medical director for LINK School-Based Clinic Program, Camden, New Jersey; instructor of clinical medicine, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; and faculty member at San Diego State University’s School of Public Health.