Francine Kaufman, MD, author of DIABESITY: The Obesity-Diabetes Epidemic That Threatens America and What We Must Do to Stop It, will make an impassioned call to action in her keynote address on Thursday, October 20.

Dr. Kaufman is an internationally-known authority on diabetes and obesity. She is Head, Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, and Professor of Pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California.

Dr. Kaufman, past president (2002-2003) of the American Diabetes Association, blends cutting-edge science with personal stories of those affected. She will detail the steps individuals, schools and families can make to combat this epidemic.

The author of more than 150 medical articles, Dr. Kaufman has developed many important clinical innovations and is also a tireless public advocate. She has developed innovative programs for overweight and diabetic children and their families, served for more than 20 years as medical director of a summer camp for diabetic children, and was instrumental in banning the sale of soda in the LA Unified School District.

Her many honors include the 2003 Woman of Valor Award from the American Diabetes Association. Dr. Kaufman has appeared on the "Today Show" and has been featured in numerous publications such as LA Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Esquire, Parade, and The New York Times.
Dr. Kaufman lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Neal Kaufman, MD, MPH, and is the mother of two sons, Adam and Jonah.

Pat Cooper, EdD
Keynote Address
Friday, October 21
10:15 - 11:15 am

Pat Cooper, EdD, Superintendent of the McComb School District in Mississippi, will share his successful efforts to implement effective school health programs during his Friday, October 21, keynote address titled "Coordinated School Health: Making the Vision the Mission."

A nationally recognized consultant and lecturer on systemic education reform and comprehensive school health and inclusion issues, Dr. Cooper's work in Mississippi has resulted in documented gains in student attendance, test scores and teacher productivity as well as reducing dropout, suspension and expulsion rates.

According to Dr. Cooper, "Simply providing access to education will not solve anybody's problems if the nation's schools are overwhelmed. We must work together to take action for children's nutrition, fitness and overall health, to create healthy, safe, supportive schools where teachers can teach and children can learn."

Dr. Cooper will share how he was able to secure funding and other resources for CSHP as well as how the McComb School District was able to document student education and health outcomes.

Dr. Cooper his in his 34th year of public education service. He has served as a classroom teacher of emotionally disturbed students, principal, university faculty member and as assistant state superintendent in the Louisiana Department of Education. In addition, he was executive director of the National School Health Education Coalition (NaSHEC) and served as a senior education program consultant for the Kennedy Institute in Washington, DC.

In Mississippi, Dr. Cooper serves as President of the Mississippi Alliance for School Health (MISH), and is on the Governor's Health Committee which works with the National Governors Association in developing a national network on school/health partnerships.

Dr. Cooper earned his undergraduate and master's level education degrees at Louisiana State University, and his doctorate in education at the University of Northern Colorado.