Westmoreland Reads, the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg’s common read program, selected What the Eyes Don’t See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City by Mona Hanna-Attisha, MD, as this year’s book. Students at Pitt-Greensburg and members of the community were invited to read and discuss the book in small groups with the goals of making connections and engaging in conversations with others across disciplines, interests, and age groups.
On Wednesday, Oct. 23, Hanna-Attisha will visit the Hempfield Township campus for “Meet Dr. Mona: Q&A event with the author of ‘What the Eyes Don’t See.’” Her presentation starts at 7 p.m. in the Ferguson Theater (Smith Hall) and is free and open to the public. Viewers desiring to participate via Zoom should register at https://bit.ly/westmoreland-reads-2024 for access.
What the Eyes Don’t See is Hanna-Attisha’s first-hand account of the Flint, MI, water crisis as she fought to bring the fight for justice into the national spotlight. Hanna-Attisha used science to prove that children in Flint were exposed to lead. She then went public with her research and faced a brutal backlash. The New York Times Book Review selected the book as one of its 100 Notable Books of 2018.
“Dr. Mona’s tireless advocacy on behalf of her patients and the citizens of Flint, Michigan, is inspiring,” said Sheila Confer, EdD, assistant professor of Interdisciplinary Studies, director of the Academic Village, and founder of Westmoreland Reads. “I think all of us are passionate about some cause and sometimes wonder if we have what it takes to make a difference. Dr. Mona’s story speaks to the amazing power of individuals in community with others. We have wonderful people and organizations doing work in our community, and this event will also be an opportunity for attendees to become familiar with those organizations, as well.”
Hanna-Attisha is the associate dean for Public Health and CS Mott Endowed Professor of Public Health at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She is the founding director of the Pediatric Public Health Initiative, an innovative partnership of MSU and Hurley Children’s Hospital in Flint, MI.
A pediatrician, scientist, activist, and author, Hanna-Attisha was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World and recognized as one of USA Today’s Women of the Century for her role in uncovering the Flint water crisis and leading recovery efforts. She has testified multiple times before the United States Congress, lectures at dozens of colleges and universities, and frequently contributes to national media outlets championing the cause of children in Flint and beyond.
With concentrations in environmental health and health policy, she received her bachelor’s degree and Master of Public Health degree from the University of Michigan. She completed her medical degree from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and her residency and chief residency at Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit. (biographical information from https://monahannaattisha.com/about).