Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing faculty member Abe Oudshoorn took part in quite the phone call last week – with U.S. President Barack Obama.
An estimated 140,000 of people gathered for the historical national conference call on health care reform with Obama, who spoke on the call for approximately 10 minutes, before taking a few questions. Oudshoorn submitted a question, but it was not chosen.
“I was impressed by his clear conviction that all Americans must have health insurance, no matter how the political fencing match turns out,” says Oudshoorn, lecturer and year four coordinator of the collaborative program. “He also was clear on the inefficiencies in the system. I was one listener of many, but I felt privileged to hear him talking to us through the phone.”
The teleconference, which Oudshoorn recorded, also consisted of addresses from various dignitaries in the American faith and social justice community.