Business Health and Medicine

U.S. Health secretary to speak Thursday during webinar

Alex Azar, the nation’s leading health officer whose principal function is to advise the president on the nation’s health matters, will address a Miami Herbert Business School audience on Oct. 8 as part of the Virtual Distinguished Leaders Lecture series.
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar speaks about protecting seniors, in the East Room of the White House, Thursday, April 30, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar. Photo: Associated Press

Alex Azar was approved as the new secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) in January 2018, returning to head the department he had served previously as general counsel from 2001 to 2005 and as deputy secretary from 2005 to 2007. From 2007 through January 2017, he worked as a senior executive at Eli Lilly and Company in Indianapolis, Indiana.

In his role, Azar oversees 11 agencies that conduct research, implement health interventions, and promote public health. His principal function is to advise the president on health matters. He has focused on advancing three strategic HHS programs: facilitating patient-centered health care markets, protecting life and lives, and promoting independence. 

Under his tenure, HHS has sought to lower drug prices, combat the opioid crisis by increasing services and treatment, end the HIV epidemic, shore up gaps in rural health care, and address key social determinants of health. Azar has also been a leading advocate to keep e-cigarettes out of the hands of children. 

Go here to register for the virtual lecture featuring HHS Secretary Alex Azar at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8,hosted by the University of Miami Patti and Allan Herbert Business School.