Flint pediatrician will discuss public health, public trust during Great Michigan Read virtual event

Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, who uncovered the impact lead in Flint's water system was having on children, will discuss public health and environmental inequality during a virtual event presented in partnership by Grand Valley's Kutsche Office of Local History and Grand Rapids Public Library. 

"Public Health & Public Trust with Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha" will be Monday, October 19, beginning at 7 p.m.; state Rep. Rachel Hood will join the discussion. The event is free and open to the public; participants must register online to receive information about how to access the program.

Hanna-Attisha was scheduled to visit Grand Valley's campus in March as part of the Great Michigan Read. She is the author of the nationally recognized book, "What the Eyes Don't See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City."

Kimberly McKee, director of the Kutsche Office of Local History, said the virtual event aligns with the office's mission of presenting an intersectional approach to history, while connecting with its Grand River project.

"Hosting Dr. Hanna-Attisha for a conversation supports the Kutsche Office’s interest in considering how local history intersects with environmental history, picking up on some of the themes that emerged from our Connections Along the Grand River project," McKee said. The Grand River project was also funded by Michigan Humanities, a sponsor of the Great Michigan Read.

Julie Tabberer, manager of the Grand Rapids History and Special Collections department at GRPL, said a conversation about environmental inequality, and the relationship between democratic representation and healthy communities is important to everyone.

The 2019-2020 Great Michigan Read is presented by Michigan Humanities and supported by national, statewide and local partners, including the National Endowment for the Humanities and The Meijer Foundation. This program is funded in part by Michigan Humanities, an affiliate of the National Endowment of the Humanities.