Discussion Dinner Holds discourse on the Political Aspects of Health Care, featuring Dr. Anthony Fauci, Class of '62
Holy Cross Hosts Dialogue Dinner with Dr. Anthony Fauci
On March 18, 2025, the College of the Holy Cross welcomed a special Dialogue Dinner, marking another chapter in the series of civil discourse events hosted by SPEECH Peer Educators. The Dialogue Dinner brought together a distinguished panel of experts, including Dr. Anthony Fauci '62, Dr. Helen Boucher M.D. '86, Dr. Michael Collins M.D. '77, Capt. Michael Kavanaugh M.D. '97, and Maile Sit '25.
The evening began with a panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Boucher, who is not only the Dean of the Tufts University School of Medicine but also the first woman to hold these positions. The discussion focused on how each panelist handled different stages of the pandemic from their respective positions, as well as their thoughts on the role of government and misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic response efforts.
Following the panel discussion, each panelist joined students and faculty members for a Dialogue Dinner. This intimate setting offered students the opportunity to engage directly with the accomplished panelists regarding issues of great importance to both the medical and political spheres.
The Dialogue Dinner was part of a multi-day campus residency of Dr. Fauci and his wife, Dr. Christine Grady. The Dialogue Dinner portion of the evening involved answering and discussing questions related to the government's role in public health and the future of public health policy in the United States.
In a respectful and structured environment, the Dialogue Dinner allowed diverse viewpoints to be shared and critically examined, helping students develop skills in listening, critical thinking, empathy, and respectful disagreement. This approach aligns with the mission of SPEECH Peer Educators, which stands for Students Promoting Empathy, Expression, and Civic Harmony.
Prior to this event, SPEECH Peer Educators had hosted Dialogue Dinners on various topics, such as the 2024 national election, the Israel-Gaza conflict, and the role of a Catholic college in sexual education. The Dialogue Dinners have become a staple at Holy Cross, fostering civil discourse among students on contentious or difficult social, political, or ethical topics.
As part of a Jesuit institution with a strong emphasis on education for social justice and ethical leadership, these Dialogue Dinners play a significant role in promoting dialogue and understanding in campus life. They provide a rare space for meaningful face-to-face conversations on controversial issues, encouraging participants to move beyond polarized debates toward mutual understanding and community-building.
For precise historical origins, organizing bodies, or documented impacts on campus culture, consulting College of the Holy Cross official communications or program descriptions would be necessary. Nevertheless, the Dialogue Dinners at Holy Cross have proven to be valuable learning experiences for students, providing them with opportunities to engage with influential figures and discuss critical issues in a respectful and constructive manner.
The Editor-in-Chief of the College's newspaper, Nathan Howard '25, and the News Editor, Molly Landis '27, were on hand to cover the event, ensuring that the campus community would be kept informed about this important discussion.
- Dr. Anthony Fauci '62, a renowned guest, was part of the Dialogue Dinner hosted by the College of the Holy Cross.
- TheDialogue Dinner took place on March 18, 2025, organized by SPEECH Peer Educators.
- The Dialogue Dinner was a part of a series of civil discourse events, another chapter in SPEECH Peer Educators' collection.
- Dr. Boucher, Dean of the Tufts University School of Medicine, moderated the evening's panel discussion.
- The panel invited Dr. Fauci, Dr. Michael Collins M.D. '77, Capt. Michael Kavanaugh M.D. '97, and Maile Sit '25.
- The discussion centered around each panelist's response to different pandemic stages from their respective positions.
- Misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic response was also a focus of the panel's discussion.
- Following the panel, students and faculty dialogued with the accomplished panelists during the Dialogue Dinner.
- The Dialogue Dinner offered students a chance to engage directly with the panelists on vital medical and political issues.
- Dr. Fauci and his wife Dr. Christine Grady were in residence on campus for a multi-day visit.
- The Dialogue Dinner centered around the government's role in public health and the future of U.S public health policy.
- In a structured environment, diverse viewpoints were shared and critically examined during the Dialogue Dinner.
- The mission of SPEECH Peer Educators is to foster empathy, expression, and civic harmony.
- Past Dialogue Dinners at Holy Cross covered diverse topics such as the 2024 national election, Israel-Gaza conflict, and sexual education.
- The Dialogue Dinners have become a significant part of campus life at Holy Cross.
- They promote dialogue and understanding in campus life, offering students engagement with influential figures.
- As a Jesuit institution, Holy Cross focuses on education for social justice and ethical leadership.
- Dialogue Dinners at Holy Cross provide students with learning experiences, engaging with critical issues in a respectful manner.
- Specific origins, organizing bodies, or documented impacts on campus culture can be found in College of the Holy Cross official communications or program descriptions.
- Nathan Howard '25 and Molly Landis '27 covered the Dialogue Dinner for the College's newspaper.
- The campus community was kept informed about the discussion thanks to the coverage by the Editor-in-Chief and News Editor of the college newspaper.
- Education and self-development were crucial aspects of the Dialogue Dinner, encouraging students in personal growth and mindfulness.
- Climate change, a pressing worldwide issue, often demands attention at these events, integrating science, medicine, and policy discussions.
- Respiratory conditions, chronic kidney disease, and cancer were health topics frequently addressed during the Dialogue Dinner.
- Mental health, autoimmune disorders, and skin conditions were also topics of concern during the Dialogue Dinner.
- Health and wellness, fitness and exercise, digestive health, and eye health were additional health-related discussions held.
- Fires and accidents were sometimes addressed in terms of their impact on a community's health and wellbeing.
- Misinformation, productivity, career development, and policy and legislation were topics that related to education and self-development.
- Job search, general news, crime and justice, and migration were subjects that touched societal discourse.
- War and conflicts have been discussed at past Dialogue Dinners, highlighting the importance of understanding global conflicts.
- Online education, news, and job-search resources are crucial for students' success and future careers.
- Sports events such as football, soccer, WNBA games, baseball, hockey, golf, European leagues, basketball, NCAABasketball, MLB, NHL, racing, Premier League, NBA, Masters, Grand Prix, and tennis were occasionally mentioned in discussions.
- Auto-racing, tennis, and golf were especially relevant to conversations about health and wellness due to their connections to CBD and neurological disorders.
- Education, learning, goal-setting, lifelong learning, skills training, and golf can all be considered vital aspects of the mindfulness and personal growth phenomena.
