Norfleet Forum 2003

The Norfleet Executive Forum on Health is an annual meeting in Memphis funded through a generous gift to The University of Tennessee Health Science Center by Dunbar Abston, Sr., in honor of his adopted stepson, Frank M. Norfleet. The 2003 Norfleet Forum is designed to give health care providers the opportunity to come together with ALL segments of the community to map out a strategy to tackle a shared community health issue.

The 2003 health issue is obesity and diabetes - a problem growing at epidemic proportions in this region. In addition to health care providers, many other parts of the community (businesses, governments, insurance companies, social and charitable agencies, coalitions, media professionals, churches, schools and clubs) are being invited to discuss this health care problem and explore what can be done together to turn this situation around.

Guest speakers include Dr. Don Berwick who will share information about national trends and activities that are very important to Memphis; Dr. Elliot Fisher who will discuss the status of health care locally, regionally and nationally; Dr. Leonard Berry who will discuss the health care experience from the consumer's viewpoint; Mr. John Nance, a national expert who will discuss safety in health care, including safety in the care of the chronically ill, e.g., diabetes and the obese.

The goal of the 2003 Norfleet Executive Forum on Health is twofold:

• To demonstrate a community-action model for bringing together a broad spectrum of community groups to develop a coordinated action plan to address a common health issue.
• To encourage health care providers to consult with citizens throught the entire community (e.g., business, insurance companies, religious groups, government and regulatory agencies, the Healthy Community Commission, schools, charities, clubs, and patients) about obesity and diabetes. The dialogue will lead to specific actions so that providers can start to support these diverse parts of our community to encourage their constituents (employees, members, students, neighbors, families, i.e., all citizens) to adopt healthy eating and exercise habits and seek early screening and care.

The outcome of the 2003 Norfleet Forum will be a recommended list of actions that will be turned over to a new organization called the Healthy Memphis Common Table. The HMCT is a "coalition of coalitions." This organization will expand after the Forum and become the vehicle for numerous, well-established public and private organizations and coalitions in Memphis to work together. The HMCT will encourage, facilitate, support, and engage all segments of the Mid-South community to attack specific community health issues.

It is expected that the 2003 Norfleet Forum will produce not only an innovative and creative set of actions that will have the effect of improving the health of citizens of Memphis, but could also serve as a model for community action that can be adopted and emulated by communities around the country facing similar problems. Finally, it is intended that the 2003 Norfleet Forum will be just the first of a continuing series of Forum events that will, over the years, successfully address different health issues of concern to Memphis and the Mid-South region.