Legendary Newsman Tom Brokaw to Keynote Medical College of Wisconsin’s Healthcare Dinner

Tom Brokaw, distinguished journalist, NBC News anchor, and New York Times bestselling author, will be the keynote speaker for the Medical College of Wisconsin's Center for Digestive Disease Healthcare 2012 Dinner, Monday, November 12, at the Pfister Hotel’s Grand Ballroom. Individual tickets and sponsored tables are now on sale to hear Brokaw discuss “The Voice of a Generation.” The Medical College’s Digestive Disease Center Board, the host of the event, is a group of 33 community leaders who raise awareness of digestive diseases and funds for research.

Tom Brokaw has spent his entire journalism career with NBC News, beginning in 1966 in Los Angeles covering Ronald Reagan’s first run for public office. From there, Brokaw was promoted to White House correspondent. Brokaw soon became a familiar and trusted face, landing anchor positions on TODAY and the NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw, where he also was managing editor.

In addition to his daily news responsibilities, Brokaw worked on more than 30 documentaries covering subjects including education, immigration, health care, and race relations.

In 1998, he published his first book, The Greatest Generation, one of the most popular non-fiction books of the 20th century. He followed that with five other books, and is also an essayist.

The event will also include presentation of the Warren P. Knowles Humanitarian Award to Jon and Ann Hammes. The award honors an individual or organization from Wisconsin with a commitment to health-related issues and whose work reflects the dedication to public service and education marking the career of Governor Warren P. Knowles.

Jon Hammes is the founder and managing partner of Hammes Co., a leading developer of healthcare facility solutions. Both Jon and Ann Hammes are active community leaders. Jon Hammes has served on the board of Children’s Hospital Health System, United Way of Greater Milwaukee, YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee, Junior Achievement of Southeastern Wisconsin, Greater Milwaukee Committee and the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Ann Hammes has spent many years volunteering and serving the community at numerous organizations including Children’s Hospital, Family Services of Milwaukee, Junior Achievement, Junior League and The Next Door Foundation. She has always embraced the belief that true happiness is realized by those who have sought and found how to serve.

Event co-chairs are Nancy Hayer, Joyce Myers, and David Raysich.

Registration and a reception will begin at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m., and the program at 8 p.m. Individual ticket prices start at $500 and include dinner and an invitation to the general reception.

For sponsorship opportunities, table reservations of tickets, call 414-955-4701 or visit www.mcw.edu/healthcaredinner.

The Medical College of Wisconsin's Digestive Disease Center is an internationally renowned group of more than 60 faculty physicians and scientists representing many specialties. Their unique collaboration provides a multidisciplinary approach to patient care, research and education in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all forms of digestive disease. The center has nationally recognized programs in swallowing disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreaticobilliary disease, hepatitis, liver transplantation and gastrointestinal cancer surveillance.