The John and Valerie Rowe Scholars Visiting Lecture Series is designed to bring distinguished health professionals, scholars, and researchers to the Storrs campus annually to speak about critical topics in health care. Speakers are chosen based on student input. The lecture series is funded through an endowment to the University of Connecticut by the Rowe Family Foundation and is part of the John and Valerie Rowe Health Professions Scholars Program.
2026 John and Valerie Rowe Scholars Lecture
Paul Mounds Jr.
Vice President of Community, Corporate, and Government Relations, Yale New Haven Health
This year, we welcome Paul Mounds Jr., Vice President of Community, Corporate, and Government Relations at Yale New Haven Health. His experience leading through major public challenges and connecting healthcare systems with the communities they serve offers valuable insights for students interested in careers at the intersection of healthcare, public policy, government, leadership, and community impact.
October 8, 2026 at 5:00 pm
Konover Auditorium at Dodd Center (Storrs) & Livestream
Honors Event #UHLEvent 11519
Academic & Interdisciplinary Engagement; Career, Professional, & Personal Development
Past Rowe Scholars Visiting Lecturers
| 2025 | Taylor C. Ford, LMSW ("Checking In. Checking On. Checking Out. Mental Health Education in the Carceral Classroom") |
| 2024 | Ayesha R. Clarke, MPH, MSW ("Bridging Health Equity and Leadership: Elevating Community Voices through Advocacy, Policy, and Collaborative Solutions") |
| 2023 | Meredithe McNamara, MD, MS, FAAP ("Finding Your Niche in a Hopeful Place") |
| 2022 | Loneke Blackman Carr, Ph.D., RD ("The Meaning in the Mission") |
| 2019 | Nicola Santoro, MD, PhD ("Pediatric Obesity and its Metabolic Complications: A Clinical Investigator Perspective") |
| 2018 | Alicia Ely Yamin, JD, MPH ("Are Human Rights Still Relevant to Advancing Global Health") |
| 2017 | Eric Feigl-Ding, PhD ("Pursuing Diverse Health Careers to Change the World: Why Dropping out of Medical School was the Best Decision of My Life") |
| 2016 | Renee Manworren, PhD, APRN, FAAN, BSN ("Personalizing Pain Management") |
| 2015 | Cato Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D. ("Regenerative Engineering: The Theory and Practice of a Next Generation Field") |
| 2014 | Michal Assaf, M.D. ('Functional MRI - How Emerging Technology is Transforming Diagnosis and Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Disorders') |
| 2013 | Gregory Tsongalis, Ph.D., H.C.L.D., C.C. ('The Digital Human: How Genomics is Impacting You') |
| 2012 | Vlad Coric, M.D. (‘New Clues to Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease’) |
| 2011 | Steven Strongwater, M.D. (‘Health Care Reform and the Future of Medical Education’) |
| 2010 | Robert Galvin, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A. ('Autism: Myth, Legend, and Science') |
| 2009 | Joan Y. Reede, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A. (‘Remembering the Past While Creating the Future’) |
| 2008 | Carolyn D. Runowicz, M.D. UConn '73 (‘The Answer to Cancer...’) |
| 2007 | Wendy Everett, Sc.D. (‘Partnering with Patients in the 21st Century’) |
| 2006 | Joseph Civetta, M.D. (‘Beyond Technology: The Principles of Medicine’) |
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