Wondering about healthcare?

Wonderlust is Bozeman’s term for learning just because you can. MSU Wonderlust, as described by their website, is a local organization designed to provide “lifelong learning opportunities for inquiring adults.” MSU Wonderlust stems from the department of Academic Technology and Outreach, where Wonderlust courses take place throughout the year for two hours a week for four to six weeks. This member-managed organization also arranges monthly Friday Forums open to the public, where well-informed professionals speak to relevant matters for Montanans. Some past forums have been on The Chronicle and digitalization, and Gallatin College’s goal for its students. The Bozeman Public Library Foundation co-sponsors these Friday Forums.

The most recent colloquium, titled, “What’s Happening to Healthcare in Our Community?” explored the challenges and opportunities for local healthcare. This Friday Forum occurred on March 16 from 12 – 1:30 p.m. Appearing at the Bozeman Public Library was John Hill, CEO and President of Bozeman Health, and Lander Cooner, CEO of Bozeman Community Health Partners. The main dialogue highlighted the current political environment, and how it’s impacting our hospitals and community health centers. John Hill enlightened the forum using his background of executive healthcare leadership. Having been in the industry for more than 20 years, Hill accepted the current role of CEO in August, 2016. Questions were asked about affordable healthcare, medicaid and the future of the health industry in the city of Bozeman. About 60 Bozeman area residents participated in this discussion.

Next month, on Friday, April 20, MSU’s own professor of philosophy, Kristen Intemann, Ph.D., will talk on the ethics of gene therapy at the Bozeman Public Library. For more information on how to get involved with MSU Wonderlust, visit www.montana.edu/wonderlust or www.montanawonderlust.org.