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Across exam rooms, classrooms, and offices, an epidemic is quietly shaping the health of our nation — one not spread by coughs or contact, but by isolation. The former U.S. Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, has called loneliness one of the most urgent public health challenges of our time.

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On Tuesday, Nov. 18, Trinity University, in partnership with Bank of America, will host Murthy as part of its Policy Maker Breakfast Series at The Mays Family Center at the Witte Museum. His keynote, “Embracing Connection: Transforming Loneliness Into a Flourishing Community,” will invite attendees to rethink what it means to care for one another, not just in hospitals or clinics, but across neighborhoods, workplaces, and campuses. The event will take place from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m., and tickets must be purchased in advance.

“Loneliness has become a public health priority because it cuts across every demographic and profession,” said Amer Kaissi, a professor in Trinity’s Healthcare Administration program. “As healthcare leaders, we’re learning that building systems of care isn’t just about access or efficiency, it’s about belonging and feeling safe. Dr. Murthy’s work reminds us that human connection is fundamental to health.”

Murthy, who has served as the 19th and 21st Surgeon General of the United States, has made this issue central to his leadership. His evidence-based frameworks for social connection, workplace mental health and technology’s impact on well-being have reshaped how public institutions and private organizations think about wellness.

His initiatives have inspired communities and companies worldwide to invest in environments where connection and compassion are seen as essential, not optional, to sustainable success.

“Positive and productive conversations around mental health are essential for supporting the workforce. At Bank of America, we place a premium on the well-being of our employees by providing resources and programs needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle,” said Ventura Perez, Bank of America San Antonio President. “Bank of America is pleased to support Trinity University’s Policy Maker Breakfast Series and help facilitate important conversations and learning for the local business community, including ways to support mental health in the workplace.”

In many ways, Murthy’s message resonates deeply with the mission of Trinity University and its Policy Maker Breakfast Series. The long-running series convenes national leaders, business innovators and public officials for thoughtful conversations about issues that affect the health and prosperity of our region. Past events have addressed topics ranging from environmental sustainability to economic development. This fall’s discussion underscores a truth that connects them all: that community well-being begins with human connection.

“Healthcare administration isn’t only about managing systems, it’s about creating and leading cultures of care,” Kaissi said. “When patients, providers, and leaders feel supported, the outcomes improve. Dr. Murthy’s work shows us that emotional well-being is the foundation for every other kind of health.”

For Trinity students and professionals across the city, hearing directly from Murthy represents a learning experience and a call to action. His keynote will challenge us to rethink how we design our communities, from corporate offices to classrooms, in ways that foster trust, empathy and resilience.

If our society hopes to strengthen its collective health, we must begin by addressing the epidemic of loneliness not just through programs, but through people.

The path to better public health may not start in a lab or a clinic, but around a shared table, a supportive conversation or a community event like this one. Trinity’s Policy Maker Breakfast provides a platform for that healing to begin, one conversation, one connection at a time.

Tickets for “Embracing Connection: Transforming Loneliness Into a Flourishing Community” are available now. For more information, visit gotu.us/pmb.

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