Contact Rick Kyte at 608-796-3704 or rlkyte@viterbo.edu

LA CROSSE, Wis. – Mona Hanna, M.D, will open the D.B. Reinhart Center for Ethics in Leadership fall lecture series with the powerful presentation, “What the Eyes Don’t See: Stories from the Frontlines of the Flint Water Crisis” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10 in the Viterbo University Fine Arts Center Main Theatre.

Pediatrician, scientist, and author of the critically acclaimed memoir What the Eyes Don’t See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City, Hanna will give a personal account of her research and activism to expose and mitigate the effects of the Flint, Michigan water crisis. She will recount how she used science to prove that Flint children were affected by lead and the brutal backlash she faced after going public with her findings. She will also inspire audience members to safeguard their own communities by speaking truth to power.

What the Eyes Don’t See was recognized by The New York Times as one of the 100 Notable Books of 2018. Hannah has testified before the United States Congress, lectures widely at colleges and universities across the country, and frequently contributes to national media discussions on public health, environmental justice, and children's wellbeing. Her work helped bring national attention to the crisis and informed recovery efforts that continue today. In recognition of her leadership and advocacy, she was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People and was honored as one of USA Today's Women of the Century.

Hanna is the associate dean for public health and C. S. Mott Endowed Professor of Public Health at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She is also the founding director of the Pediatric Public Health Initiative, an innovative collaboration between Michigan State University and Hurley Children's Hospital focused on advancing the health and wellbeing of children and families in Flint, Michigan. She continues to inspire communities to confront injustice and create healthier futures for all children.

This event is part of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership fall lecture series. It is free and open to the public. No tickets are necessary, but seating is limited. For a full schedule of D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership events, visit www.viterbo.edu/ethics.

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