Moderated by Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts
October 16, 2012
BIOGRAPHIES
Joline Macfarlan, MD, is a family physician with special interests in women’s health, preventive health care, nutrition and integrative medicine, geriatrics and the various issues that affect underserved populations. She will discuss how these issues have shaped her professional career from her studies at URI through her medical doctorate from Boston University to her current practice.
Keith P. Lewis, RPh, MD, Professor and Chairman, Department of Anesthesiology, Boston Medical Center, has over 30 years experience in health care both as pharmacist and a physician. Dr. Lewis will address his journey from his time as a student at URI to his current practice and discuss the challenges and rewards that health care professionals experience.
Marie Ghazal, MS, RN, is a proven leader in the health care field, highly respected for over 35 years of dedication and service to improving health care and reducing health disparities for Rhode Island’s most vulnerable residents. Throughout her career, Marie has demonstrated her commitment to the mission of providing health care access to all. Through her accomplishments as a registered nurse , health center director, administrator and now Chief Executive Officer of the Rhode Island Free Clinic (RIFC), Marie exemplifies a strong leader contributing to the national dialogue on collaborations, community partnerships and a healthy, robust, cost-effective health care delivery system.
As CEO of the RIFC, Marie leads the clinic’s volunteer provider/community partnership model; a model that dictates health care for more uninsured and working poor will be realized though increasing volunteers and strategic community partnerships and alliances. An investment in RIFC promotes healthy patients, active volunteer service, and health care professionals trained in a dynamic community based clinic.
As a gubernatorial appointee to the RI Healthcare Reform Commission, Ms. Ghazal will discuss her journey from a student at the URI to a health care provider in the State of Rhode Island focusing on inequality in health care.