M-RCBG Senior Fellow-Led Study Group: Miklós Szócska
Monday, February 24, 4:15-5:45 Weil Hall: B-L-1 (Belfer Bldg. L-level, Rm 1) POSTPONED: We plan to reschedule this event for later in the semester
Join us to gain insider perspectives on the complex interplay between pandemic preparedness , global policy-making, government-industry relations during one of the most challenging crises of our time - COVID-19 pandemic.
Speakers:
- Richard Bergström (at present Vice President for European Affairs IQVIA): Known as the EU's "vaccine hunter," Richard played a pivotal role in securing vaccine supplies for the European Union and other countries during the critical early stages of vaccine development and distribution.
- Miklós Szócska (a M-RCGB Senior Fellow and Former Minister of State for Health of Hungary): was a member of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's COVID-19 advisory panel. Miklós also served as the Hungarian delegate to the European Commission's COVID-19 advisory platform and led his country's COVID-19 data utilization team.
The study group will explore the multifaceted challenges of global vaccine procurement, distribution, diplomacy, and political communication during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing from their firsthand experiences, our speakers will discuss:
- The race to secure vaccine supplies in a highly competitive global market
- Navigating complex international negotiations and partnerships
- Balancing national interests with European/Global health equity
- The role of data in shaping pandemic response strategies
- Lessons learned for future global health crises and pandemic preparedness
This study group is particularly relevant for students interested in:
- Global Health Policy
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Crisis Management and Decision Making
- Public Policy in Times of Global Crisis
- Data-Driven Policy Making
This study group / discussion is open to all HUID holders. Registration is not necessary.
M-RCBG welcomes individuals with disabilities to participate in its programs. To request accommodations or ask questions about access provided, please email: mrcbg@hks.harvard.edu
Dr. Miklós Szócska is a professor and dean of faculty at Semmelweis University in Budapest. He began his public service career during medical school when he was elected as student president of his class at the dawn of system change in Hungary. He is one of the founders and the current director of the Health Services Management Training Centre at Semmelweis, which serves as the focal point for health management and policy development in Hungary. Besides his academic responsibilities Dr. Szócska led a rich portfolio of national and international level research or development projects. Dr. Szócska served as Hungary's Minister of State for Health from 2010 to 2014. During his tenure, he led comprehensive health reforms amidst a challenging world economic crisis period. His initiatives included large-scale structural changes and health improvement programs, earning him recognition for his commitment to public health advancement. He is particularly proud of his agile, consultative, evidence-driven, and problem-based change approach. Key achievements include making Hungary smoke-free, introducing a public health product tax on added salt and sugar, and using the funds to raise salaries for tens of thousands of public sector nurses and doctors. He also initiated the creation of a national eHealth platform, which proved critical for care accessibility during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2016 he was nominated for the Director General position of the World Health Organisation by the Hungarian Government. His academic and professional journey reflects a profound dedication to improving health systems through innovative policies and technologies, assisting health managers and organizations in their quest for efficiency and well-being. Currently, Dr. Szócska champions the integration of data-driven and AI solutions in healthcare, aiming to save lives and public money, enhance public health outcomes, and improve system efficiency. He holds an MD and a PhD from Semmelweis University and a Master of Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School, where he was a 1998 MC/MPA. He also enjoyed the benefits of his training in the Netherlands, Japan and England. As an M-RCBG Senior Fellow, Dr. Szócska will delve into how we can harness the potential of AI in healthcare while mitigating its risks. His research will focus on navigating the evolving regulatory and business model landscape. This work aims to provide valuable insights into creating a balanced approach to AI integration in the healthcare sector. His faculty mentor is Soroush Saghafian Associate Professor of Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School. Email: miklos_szocska@hks.harvard.edu