Keynote Speaker
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sponsored by Celgene Corporation and Novo Nordisk
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Tommy G. Thompson
Former Secretary
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services |
Tommy G. Thompson, the former Health and Human Services Secretary and four-term Governor of Wisconsin is a partner at the law firm of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld. He is the chairman of AGA Medical Corporation and also serves as a director of CR Bard, Centene Corporation, and United Therapeutics and as a special advisor to the CEO at Tamir Biotechnology.
Secretary Thompson is building on his efforts as HHS Secretary and Governor to develop innovative solutions to the health care challenges facing American families, businesses, communities, states and the nation as a whole. These efforts focus on improving the use of information technology in hospitals, clinics and doctors offices; promoting healthier lifestyles; strengthening and modernizing Medicare and Medicaid; and expanding the use of medical diplomacy around the world.
Secretary Thompson served as HHS Secretary from 2001 to 2005 and is one of the nation's leading advocates for the health and welfare of all Americans. Secretary Thompson has dedicated his professional life to public service and served as Governor of Wisconsin from 1987 to 2001. Secretary Thompson made state history when he was re-elected to office for a third term in 1994 and a fourth term in 1998.
Secretary Thompson began his career in public service in 1966 as a representative in Wisconsin's state Assembly. He was elected assistant Assembly minority leader in 1973 and Assembly minority leader in 1981. Secretary Thompson has received numerous awards for his public service, including the Anti-Defamation League's Distinguished Public Service Award. In 1997, the Secretary received Governing Magazine's Public Official of the Year Award, and the Horatio Alger Award in 1998. The Secretary has also served as chairman of the National Governors' Association, the Education Commission of the States and the Midwestern Governors' Conference. Secretary Thompson also served in the Wisconsin National Guard and the Army Reserve.
Luncheon & Keynote Address
Thursday, October 28, 2010
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Sponsored by Pepper Hamilton LLP
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Alex Gorsky Mr. Gorsky's keynote address will focus on the challenges and opportunities presented by today’s rapidly changing healthcare environment, both in the U.S. and globally. He also will discuss the evolving relationship between large and small companies and how they can work together to better serve patients. |
Mr. Gorsky began his Johnson & Johnson career as a sales representative with Janssen Pharmaceutica in 1988. Over the next 15 years, he advanced through positions of increasing responsibility in sales, marketing, and management and, in 2001, was appointed president of Janssen. In 2003, he was promoted to company group chairman of Johnson & Johnson’s pharmaceutical business in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He left Johnson & Johnson in 2004 to serve as the chief operating officer for Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. In 2005, he was named head of Pharma North America and CEO for Novartis.
Mr. Gorsky returned to Johnson & Johnson in 2008 as company group chairman and worldwide franchise chairman for Ethicon. At that time, he also was appointed to the Surgical Care Group Operating Committee. In early 2009, he was appointed worldwide chairman of the Surgical Care Group and also was appointed to the Johnson & Johnson Executive Committee.
Mr. Gorsky holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., and spent six years in the U.S. Army, finishing his military career with the rank of Captain. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1996.
A longtime advocate of diversity and inclusion, Mr. Gorsky was named the 2009 Mentor of the Year by the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association, an organization he has been involved with for many years. During his tenure with Novartis, he established the Novartis CEO Award for Diversity and Inclusion. Currently, he is the executive sponsor of the Johnson & Johnson Women’s Leadership Initiative.
Mr. Gorsky serves on the board of directors of the Doylestown Hospital in Doylestown, PA. He and his wife, Pat, have a son, Nicholas.