UNCP to host Dr. Michael Osterholm, COVID-19 Expert

The Office of Campus Engagement and Leadership and the College of Health Sciences at UNC Pembroke are hosting Health Talk: Special Event with Dr. Michael Osterholm on April 15, 2021 at 7 p.m. via Facebook live and YouTube live.

The event is available to all who would like to view.



An internationally recognized expert in infectious disease epidemiology, Dr. Osterholm comes to UNCP to discuss the very latest news about COVID-19, vaccines and the effects of the pandemic on our nation and the world.



Dr. Osterholm is an epidemiologist, COVID-19 expert and director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota and formerly served as a COVID-19 advisor to United States President Joe Biden. Osterholm previously served as a State Department science envoy for health security and as an epidemiologist for the state of Minnesota. Osterholm earned his doctorate in environmental health from the University of Minnesota in 1980 and is a member of the National Academy of Medicine.



“Dr. Osterholm is perhaps the timeliest speaker we have ever hosted. Presenting an expert on COVID-19 who appears regularly on many TV networks to discuss the pandemic is very exciting. UNCP students, faculty and staff will enjoy this presentation as it is incredibly relevant to each of us,” explained director of Campus Engagement and Leadership Abdul Ghaffar.



“This also represents our first time partnering with the College of Health Sciences. We are very excited about that collaboration and our ability to impact our students and university community,” he continued.



In addition to his roles mentioned above, Dr. Osterholm is regents professor, McKnight Presidential Endowed chair in public health, distinguished teaching professor in the Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, a professor in the Technological Leadership Institute, College of Science and Engineering, and an adjunct professor in the Medical School, all at the University of Minnesota.



Dr. Todd Telemeco, dean for the College of Health Sciences at UNCP stated, “We are at a pivotal time with the coronavirus pandemic; vaccines have brought new hope while the threat of new variants looms in the distance. UNCP is pleased to have Dr. Osterholm available to provide the public with valuable insights and to answer questions about the coronavirus pandemic.”



Telemeco will moderate the event, which is anticipated to span more than one hour. The town hall format will include questions from students and campus community members at UNCP. Questions for the Q&A session which will be held from 7:45 to 8 pm can be submitted in advance to jacqueline.davis@uncp.edu. Please submit by April 10, 2021, before 5 p.m.