Students at the College of Health have a unique opportunity to delve into health policy through the insights of Susan Wild, a former Congress member with an extensive background in law and healthcare. This opportunity is highlighted by Michael K. Gusmano, the interim dean of the College and co-director of Health, Medicine and Society (HMS), who emphasizes the advantage students have in learning from someone with such a multifaceted career.
“As an attorney who worked in the health system and a former member of Congress, Susan is uniquely positioned to help our students understand the real-world implications of what they are learning about health in the classroom,” remarked Gusmano.
Lucy Napper, a psychology professor and co-director of HMS, further elaborates on the program’s objectives. “One of the aims of the HMS program is to help students develop a broad understanding of how healthcare influences individuals and society, as well as the factors that shape our healthcare system,” she explained. The multidisciplinary approach, which includes social scientific, humanistic, and public health perspectives, is reinforced through Wild’s course, offering students a chance to analyze the government’s role in healthcare.
A distinctive feature of Wild’s course is her ability to introduce students to influential guest speakers. “If somebody says to me, ‘I really need to connect with somebody who knows about this subject,’ the chances are, I know somebody like that,” Wild said, emphasizing her enthusiasm for connecting people.
Wild shared an example of her networking abilities by connecting a trauma surgeon from Dominica with a fellow islander seeking medical care in the U.S., showcasing the value of personal connections that technology cannot easily replicate. “AI can do a lot,” Wild noted, “But it can’t pick up the phone and [make a genuine human-to-human connection for someone].”
The Power of Connection
Wild underscores the significance of human connections for health and well-being. Engaging with communities and maintaining close relationships can lead to healthier and longer lives, she pointed out. “I don’t think there’s anybody that doesn’t have some need for human connection at some level,” Wild stated.
While technology has facilitated new forms of connection, such as Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic, Wild worries about the potential loss of physical interaction. Reflecting on her early legal career, she recalls the benefits of in-person mentorship and spontaneous office interactions.
Excited about joining campus life, Wild looks forward to engaging with students, participating in university activities, and enjoying the vibrancy of academic life. “I was really excited by the prospect of being on campus and seeing people,” she commented.
Empowering Students to Make a Difference
Wild’s course aims to empower students to recognize and exercise their influence over public policy. She challenges students with questions like whether healthcare is a human right, encouraging them to see their potential impact on important issues. “People don’t realize how much influence they can have over the policy process,” she explained.
Wild encourages students to participate in the policy process, whether they pursue careers in politics or advocate for issues they care about. “What I really hope to impart to them is that you really can have an influence over policy,” she said. “And what I really hope they take away from this class at the end is that they can have an impact.”
Having served the Lehigh Valley in Congress and worked across law and public policy, Wild now brings her wealth of experience to the classroom. “I’ve had all these great honors in my life,” Wild shared. “It is also a great honor to be asked to teach at a school like Lehigh, and I’m really proud.”
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