David K. Gibson is here to guide readers through the experience of attending the 2017 Aspen Ideas Festival and Spotlight Health.
This is a passionate crowd
The people walking through the Aspen Meadows campus this week have dedicated their lives to healing, to preventing disease, to the betterment of humanity. You can hear that passion in the questions they ask in sessions and in the conversations in the hallways.
But last night’s session at the Hotel Jerome, “Undaunted: Defining Moments” was passion on parade. Ten global health leaders — all Aspen New Voices Fellows — took turns at the microphone to describe what launched their lives of activism. Watch the whole thing. And keep the tissues handy.
If you want to get gender equity in the c-suite
Maybe you should start with a dedicated breastfeeding room and a daycare facility. Give women an opportunity stay on a career track, and they’re more likely to stay loyal to your company, and won’t fall behind their male peers.
Friday at lunch, David Leonhardt moderated a discussion called “Care + Work: A Shared Win for Business and Employees” at Meadows restaurant. Joining him were Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario and Sue Siegel, CEO of GE Ventures and of Healthymagination. The conversation ranged from nursing rooms to eldercare, from dog-friendly offices to America’s disturbing exceptionalism regarding paid leave. It’s hard to argue with the results that these two businesses achieve with their family-friendly policies. And really, as Marcario says, “You either value caregiving, or you don’t.”
Skin cancer screening
Yesterday I said I’d drop into Mount Sinai’s building for a skin cancer screening. It’s a strip-to-your-undies, paper-gown experience — in a pop-up exam suite that’s private but open to the breeze. The examination was professional and thorough — thorough enough that I’m going to have an appointment with a scalpel upon my return home. (When is the last time a professional conference saved your life?)
Later today and tomorrow
At 4:15 Mountain today, Walter Isaacson will hold a conversation with “The Late Show” bandleader Jon Batiste on “Music, Health, and Well-Being.” You’ll be able to catch video streaming live. Log on and dance along.
Tomorrow, Spotlight Health wraps up at 10:15 a.m. MDT, with three big discussions. First Jeffrey Goldberg interviews HHS Secretary Tom Price (I’ve heard it through the grapevine that he may ask about attempts to repeal the ACA). Next Walter Isaacson interviews Larry Brilliant (whose bio matches his surname), and the session ends with Pat Mitchel in discussion with Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood.
And then, people, we’re on to Aspen Ideas Festival, with an opening session at 5 p.m. MDT. Schedule a nap.
