Equity and Access in Healthcare

Dr. Ben Danielson, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Washington, joins Crosscut’s Northwest Newsmakers host, Monica Guzman, to discuss a range of topics, including his decision to step down from leading the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic, what changes he’d make at Seattle Children’s if he had the authority, the program to advance health equity that he’s developing in his new position, his thoughts on what it looks like for a company to be anti-racist and how the importance of doing the right thing should overshadow every other process within an organization.

Northwest Newsmakers brings you conversations with leaders shaping the region’s politics, arts, culture and industry.

About the speakers:

Monica Guzman (moderator) is the host of the Northwest Newsmakers series.  She is the co-founder of The Evergrey, is a recent fellow at the Henry M. Jackson Foundation and Harvard's Nieman Foundation for Journalism, and is a former columnist at The Seattle Times and GeekWire. She is currently an advisor to Braver Angels and the author of an upcoming guide to staying curious in divided times. She lives in Seattle with her husband, Jason, and two kids.

Dr. Ben Danielson is a clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington. Dr. Danielson was the Senior Medical Director for the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic (OBCC) until late 2020. He worked there for over 20 years, combining patient care, clinic leadership and community advocacy. In early life he was rescued from the foster care system by a single mom who instilled in him and his sisters the value of education and community service. 

Dr. Danielson also serves on various boards of health-related organizations, philanthropic organizations, and community groups dedicated to health issues. He chairs the Governor’s Interagency Council on Health Disparities, co-chaired the Governor’s Task Force on creating an Office of Equity, chairs the Group Health Foundation Board, is a board member on King County’s Children and Youth Advisory Board, and has been on King County’s Board of Health. Dr Danielson was a member of the Washington State Health Benefit Exchange in the first several years from its inception. He is on a number of organizational boards including: the University of Washington Foundation, Amara Adoption and Foster Care Services, and the Center for Children and Youth Justice. He has provided many addresses in numerous venues including the University of Washington’s Commencement Address in 2018.

The unifying thread in Dr. Danielson’s activities relates to promoting well-being and dignity, especially for communities who have been pushed aside. He has found opportunities within and outside of systems to advocate in partnership with groups and individuals who are dedicated and passionate about creating a better world. He realizes he is the least useful member of the circles he joins and he is inspired - every day - by the children, families, communities and organizations with whom he interacts.

Special thank you to our Northwest Newsmakers series sponsor Waldron. 

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